SS Rajamouli Sparks Online Outrage After Blaming Lord Hanuman for Technical Glitch at ‘Varanasi’ Teaser Launch
Hyderabad: Director SS Rajamouli found himself at the center of controversy during the high-profile Varanasi teaser launch at Ramoji Film City on Saturday evening. A technical glitch prevented the first glimpse of the much-anticipated film from playing, leaving the director visibly emotional on stage.
Rajamouli’s Remarks on Lord Hanuman
Addressing fans who had traveled from across the world, Rajamouli apologized for the inconvenience but also shared a candid moment regarding his father, writer Vijayendra Prasad, and the team’s devotion to Lord Hanuman.
Speaking in Telugu, he said:
“I don’t believe in God. My father mentioned that Hanuman will guide me. I got angry as soon as this (glitches) happened. Is this how He’s helping me?”
He also mentioned his wife Rama’s devotion to Lord Hanuman:
“My wife has great devotion to Lord Hanuman. She talks to Him like He’s her friend. I even got angry with her for a while. Let’s see if her Hanuman helps us this time.”
Later, before attempting to play the teaser again, he added:
“Father, if your Hanuman saved me once, let’s see if my wife’s Hanuman does it again.”
A video clip of these remarks quickly went viral, sparking strong reactions across social media.
Social Media Backlash
Fans and netizens criticized Rajamouli for allegedly disrespecting religious sentiments:
- “Too disappointed with SS Rajamouli sir’s remarks regarding Lord Hanuman. Making such comments about God is completely unacceptable,” one user wrote.
- Another commented, “He didn’t give credit to God when he succeeded, but blames Him during failure.”
- Many urged the director to issue a public apology, arguing that the technical issues should have been attributed to the team rather than a deity.
Despite the backlash, several fans defended Rajamouli, highlighting his honest, emotional reaction under pressure.
‘Varanasi’ Glimpse Finally Screens
Despite the initial hurdles, the team successfully screened the Varanasi teaser, revealing a time-travel storyline with mythological connections, including glimpses of Lord Hanuman and Lord Ram. The teaser concluded with the hashtag #TimeTrotter, hinting at the film’s adventurous narrative.
Star-Studded Cast and Release
Varanasi features Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra, and Prithviraj Sukumaran in lead roles. The film is slated for a grand Sankranti 2027 release, promising a blend of mythology, fantasy, and high-octane drama.
