Acclaimed filmmaker SS Rajamouli found himself at the center of a social media storm after making surprising personal revelations during the much-anticipated teaser launch of his upcoming film Varanasi at Hyderabad's Ramoji Film City.
Technical Troubles Disrupt Grand Event
The GlobeTrotter event, intended to showcase the first glimpse of Mahesh Babu's new film, was marred by persistent technical difficulties that prevented the teaser from being projected properly. Despite multiple attempts, the technical team struggled to resolve the glitches, leaving the director and attendees frustrated.
An emotional Rajamouli took to the stage to address the situation and apologize to the gathered fans and media representatives. The RRR director expressed his disappointment at being unable to screen the highly anticipated teaser that everyone had been waiting to see.
Rajamouli's Candid Spiritual Confession
During his address, Rajamouli made several personal revelations that quickly became the talk of social media. "I don't believe in God," the filmmaker stated in Telugu, surprising many in the audience. He shared that his father, writer Vijayendra Prasad, had assured him of Lord Hanuman's blessings and guidance.
Rajamouli admitted feeling angry when the technical problems occurred shortly after his father's reassurance. "Is this how He's helping me?" he questioned, referring to the divine intervention his father had promised.
The director also revealed that his wife, Rama, maintains a strong devotion to Lord Hanuman and often speaks to the deity as if he were a friend. Rajamouli confessed that he had even felt momentary anger toward his wife due to the situation.
Social Media Divided Over Director's Remarks
Following the event, Rajamouli's comments sparked intense debate across social media platforms, particularly on X (formerly Twitter).
Many users expressed disappointment and criticism, questioning how the director could make films with mythological themes while personally rejecting religious beliefs. One user commented that it was "not fair" for someone of Rajamouli's stature to make such statements, especially while creating content centered around Hindu deities and sacred locations like Varanasi.
Another critic expressed shock at what they termed an "atheist rant" and suggested the director should apologize for what they perceived as God-bashing.
However, the filmmaker also received substantial support from fans and rationalists. Defenders argued that atheism and creative use of mythological themes can coexist in filmmaking. One supporter noted that Rajamouli has consistently identified as an atheist and uses Hindu themes purely as creative elements to enrich his storytelling.
Another fan came to the director's defense, stating they didn't care about accusations of using gods for commercial success, emphasizing that Rajamouli has always believed in himself and his team above all else.
Successful Screening After Initial Hurdles
Despite the initial technical challenges and controversial revelations, the event concluded on a positive note. The technical team eventually resolved the issues, and the Varanasi teaser was screened successfully not once, but twice for the excited audience.
The film, which stars Mahesh Babu as Rudhra wielding a trishul, also features Bollywood star Priyanka Chopra and Malayalam actor Prithviraj Sukumaran in significant roles. The project marks Rajamouli's first directorial venture following the massive international success of RRR, which won an Academy Award and brought global recognition to Indian cinema.
The Varanasi teaser launch event, intended to build excitement for the upcoming film, ultimately generated additional buzz due to the director's personal revelations and the subsequent social media discussion about the relationship between personal beliefs and creative expression in Indian cinema.
