Prabhas’ latest film Kalki 2898 AD has been making waves since its release on June 27. The movie broke several records on its opening day and became the first film of 2024 to cross the 1000 crore mark. Alongside Prabhas, the film features stellar performances from Deepika Padukone, Amitabh Bachchan, and Kamal Haasan. However, the film is back in the headlines, not for its success, but due to a comment made by actor Arshad Warsi.
Arshad Warsi’s Controversial Comment
On August 18, a short clip of Arshad Warsi surfaced on social media, sparking controversy. In an interview, when asked about the last film he watched, Warsi mentioned Kalki 2898 AD. He bluntly expressed his dislike for the film, saying, “Sorry Prabhas, but he looked like a joker. I wanted to see something else. What did you make of it? Why do you do this? I do not understand.”
Prabhas’ Fans Outraged
Prabhas’ fans were quick to react, flooding social media with their anger and disappointment. Many accused Warsi of being insecure and criticized him for using such harsh words. One fan commented, “These people cannot promote new genre films, nor the cast and crew. Bollywood is failing because of this thinking.” Another added, “As a viewer, it is okay to review or criticize any film, but the words chosen by Arshad Warsi ji are very wrong. He should have chosen his words properly. A film that was liked by the public and earned a huge amount of 1100 crores should not be labeled as a ‘Joker’.”
Support for Arshad Warsi
However, not everyone was against Warsi. Some people defended his right to express his opinion, arguing that he was simply voicing what many others were thinking. One supporter said, “People are trolling Arshad Warsi for speaking the truth. My reaction was also the same after watching Kalki. There is too much hype about the film. He is saying what is going on in people’s minds.”
Another user clarified that Warsi’s comment was not a direct attack on Prabhas but rather a critique of his character Bhairava in the film. “Did Arshad Warsi call Prabhas a joker? No, definitely not. He is talking about the character of Bhairava, not Prabhas.”
The Divide Between South and Bollywood
This incident has reignited the ongoing South vs. Bollywood debate. While Prabhas’ fans are fiercely defending their star, others are questioning whether Warsi’s critique was justified. The clash between the two sides highlights the growing tension between fans of South Indian cinema and Bollywood.
What’s Next?
As of now, neither Prabhas nor the makers of Kalki 2898 AD have responded to the controversy. Meanwhile, fans continue to clash on social media, with the video of Warsi’s comment spreading rapidly. Whether this will have any lasting impact on the film’s success or Warsi’s career remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Kalki 2898 AD is a film that has stirred strong emotions, both positive and negative.
