Bollywood actor Arshad Warsi has addressed the recent controversy surrounding his comments about Prabhas’ character in the upcoming film Kalki 2898 AD. Arshad, known for his role as Circuit in the Munna Bhai series, was criticized after referring to Prabhas’ character as a “joker” during a podcast. This sparked backlash, especially from Prabhas’ fans and the Telugu film industry.
Arshad Clarifies the Context
In a recent event, Arshad explained his remarks, emphasizing that his comment was directed at the character, not the actor himself. “I wasn’t talking about Prabhas as a person or his acting skills. He is a fantastic actor, and everyone knows that. What I meant was that a good actor was given a bad character, which can be disappointing for the audience,” he said at an IIFA event. His clarification was aimed at clearing up the misunderstanding and putting an end to the controversy.
The Comment that Sparked the Debate
Arshad’s controversial statement occurred during a podcast when he was asked about the last disappointing film he watched. He mentioned Kalki 2898 AD, stating, “Prabhas, why did you do this? He looked like a joker in the role. I was hoping to see something like Mad Max or Mel Gibson’s style, but this was confusing.” His comments led to outrage on social media, with many fans defending Prabhas and criticizing Arshad.
Arshad on the Indian Film Industry
At the same event, Arshad expressed his happiness about how the Indian film industry is gradually moving away from labels like “Bollywood” and “Tollywood.” He said, “I get irritated when people use these terms. We are all part of the Indian film industry, and that’s how it should be. My competition is with the world, not with other Indian film industries. I believe we should unite and work together, irrespective of language or region.”
Big Stars in Kalki 2898 AD
*Directed by Nag Ashwin, Kalki 2898 AD features an impressive ensemble cast, including Prabhas, Amitabh Bachchan, Deepika Padukone, and Kamal Haasan. The film, a highly anticipated sci-fi project, is available for streaming in Hindi on Netflix and in other languages on Prime Video. Despite the controversy, the film continues to generate excitement among audiences, thanks to its stellar cast and futuristic storyline.
Arshad’s clarification may help diffuse some of the tension, but his words have certainly reignited a conversation about how actors and characters are perceived in Indian cinema.
