FIR filed against SS Rajamouli after remarks on Lord Hanuman at Varanasi event

What was intended to be a spectacular unveiling of SS Rajamouli’s ambitious film Varanasi transformed into an unexpected controversy. With Mahesh Babu’s fierce new avatar as Rudhra stunning the crowd, the celebrated filmmaker- known for blockbusters like RRR and Baahubali- found himself at the centre of public outrage.

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The spark? A candid confession about his beliefs and a moment of raw frustration that quickly ignited social media.

The Moment That Triggered Backlash

The uproar began on November 15, during the massive GlobeTrotter event at Ramoji Film City, where over 50,000 fans and industry insiders had gathered for the first glimpse of Varanasi, starring Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, and Prithviraj Sukumaran. Technical glitches delayed the teaser presentation, and Rajamouli, visibly emotional, addressed the crowd.

However, his words soon became the centerpiece of national debate.

He said, "I don’t have much faith in gods. This is an emotional moment for me. I don’t believe in God. My dad came and said Lord Hanuman will take care of things for me. After the glitch happened, I raised my voice at him, saying, ‘Is this how he leads me?’ My wife is a big admirer of Hanuman. She treats the God like her friend and talks to him. I expressed my anger at her too, saying, ‘Is this how he does things?’”

What Rajamouli expressed as personal frustration was interpreted by some as disrespect toward Lord Hanuman.

FIR Filed: The Aftermath

Following the event, members of the Rashtriya Vanara Sena reportedly filed a police complaint accusing Rajamouli of hurting religious sentiments. Though the filmmaker has frequently described himself as an atheist- even while creating epics rich with spiritual symbolism- the timing of his remark, especially at a mythologically themed event, intensified the backlash.

The filing marks the latest escalation in the controversy surrounding the director.

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Irony Strikes: Lord Hanuman Appears in the Teaser

Adding an unexpected twist, the delayed Varanasi teaser includes a powerful visual inspired by the Treta Yuga, featuring a striking glimpse of Lord Hanuman and Lord Rama. The movie itself is shaping up to be a globe-spanning adventure, weaving mythology and modernity into a treasure-hunt narrative that journeys through ancient eras.