Last week, Arshad Warsi sparked off a debate when he shared his feedback on Nag Ashwin’s Kalki 2898 AD. He said that though he loved Amitabh Bachchan’s performance as Ashwatthama in the film, he wasn’t too impressed with Prabhas’ look in it and dubbed him a ‘joker’. His comment has left the internet polarised. While some supported him saying that he’s entitled to have an opinion, Prabhas fans were furious.
Prabhas’ Kalki 2898 AD co-star Saswata Chatterjee, Telugu actor Nani, producer Dil Raju, and director Ajay Bhupathi also expressed their outrage over Arshad’s remark. The latest to join this conversation is Swapna Dutt, Nag’s sister-in-law, who also served as a producer on Kalki 2898 AD. Speaking to News18 Showsha exclusively at the ongoing Moscow International Film Week, she lauded Nag’s post on X in reaction to Arshad’s comment.
Talking about why the film team didn’t lose their calm even as fan wars took over social media, Swapna told us, “I loved the way Nagi reacted to it. We stayed calm because the film proved for itself what it is. Prabhas was fantastic in the film as he always is. We’ve to give it to the magnanimity of Nag Ashwin and Prabhas. They’re just so easy on these things.”
The Mahanati and Sita Ramam producer further added that her brother-in-law’s reaction bore a testament to who he is and what the film stands for. “Nagi tweeted recently saying that he will be sending him a toy and work harder for part two. He only wished that he (Arshad) used better language and that makes Nagi who and what he is,” Swapna remarked.
For the unversed, Nag replied to a fan post featuring a clip from Kalki 2898 AD. The user wrote, “This one scene (greater than symbols) >>>> whole Bollywood… Kalki 2898 AD… Prabhas.” Nag responded, “Let’s not go backwards… no more north-south or bolly vs tolly (Bollywood vs Tollywood)… eyes on the bigger picture… united Indian film industry… Arshad saab (sir) should have chosen his words better… but it’s ok… sending Buji toys for his kids… I will work hard so tweets… that Prabhas was the best ever in K2 (sic).”
For context, Arshad recently appeared on Unfiltered By Samdish and said, “I watched Kalki 2898 AD which I didn’t like… Prabhas, I’m really sad, but why was he like a joker? Why? I want to see a Mad Max yaar, I want to see Mel Gibson over there. Tumne usko kya bana diya, yaar? Kyun karte hai aisa mujhe nahi samaj mein aata hai!”
Meanwhile, CINTAA president Poonam Dhillon received a letter from Vishnu Manchu, Telugu actor and President of the Movie Artiste Association following Arshad’s statement about Prabhas. “While I do believe that he may not have said it against Prabhas, it may be against the character in the film, I would still like him to clarify and if need be, undo the hurt which he may have caused the artistes of the Telugu industry because we are all one industry,” Poonam told HT.
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