Bollywood actor Arshad Warsi, who recently faced backlash for his comments regarding Telugu superstar Prabhas in the film ‘Kalki 2898 AD’, is again the center of a brewing controversy. An old video has surfaced where the actor made dismissive remarks about dubbed South Indian films catering to the Hindi-speaking audience. This resurfaced video has reignited discussions and drawn sharp criticism from netizens.
In the video, Arshad Warsi was asked about how the film industry has significantly increased its business scope, using the Yash-starrer ‘KGF’ franchise as an example. Responding to the question, Warsi jokingly stated, “All the staff at my house watch dubbed South Indian films. It is highly entertaining. Rajinikanth is such a big star, there must be a reason for it. In that cinema, you don’t have to think too much, wrack your brains. Cars are blasting, people are flying, and cigarettes smoke in style; it is all time pass. Eat popcorn, watch the film, and go home.”
These comments did not sit well with a section of the online community who felt Warsi’s statements undermined the creativity and effort that go into making South Indian films. One Reddit user fired back, saying, “He should have said it to Rohit Shetty as well bro thinks Golmaal is Oscar-worthy,” implying that Warsi’s remarks could equally apply to some Bollywood films known for their masala entertainment.
Another user added, “I sympathized with Arshad Warsi in the Prabhas issue, but it seems he deliberately insults the Southern Industry! He talks as if Bollywood delivers ‘Inception’ or ‘Tenet’-level movies! Maybe he is ranting for his 15 minutes of glory! What a fall.” The sentiment was mirrored across social media platforms, where users expressed their discontent with the actor’s condescending tone towards Southern cinema.
One user was particularly scathing in their critique, “So he’s saying his ‘servants’ are all stupid. Why, because they’re poor? Does this man have a doctorate? He literally played a goofy sidekick in a movie two decades ago. And we’re applauding this?”
Arshad’s previous controversial statement about Prabhas also came into focus.
. In a recent podcast interview with Samdish Bhatia, he criticized Prabhas’s role in ‘Kalki 2898 AD’, saying, “Prabhas, I am really sad, why was he… he was like a joker. Why? I want to see a Mad Max. I want to see Mel Gibson over there. Tumne usko kya bana dia yaar. Kyu karte ho aisa mujhe nahi samajh mein aata” (What have you made of it? Why do they do such things I never understand).
This statement had already garnered a lot of backlash with fans and industry insiders accusing Warsi of being disrespectful towards a well-established actor like Prabhas. The resurfacing of the old clip only added fuel to the fire, making Warsi a target for further criticism.
On the professional front, Arshad Warsi is set to reprise his popular role in ‘Jolly LLB 3’, alongside Akshay Kumar and Huma Qureshi. The ‘Jolly LLB’ series has enjoyed significant success, with the first film released in 2013 starring Warsi and Saurabh Shukla and a spiritual sequel, ‘Jolly LLB 2’, featuring Akshay Kumar and Huma Qureshi in 2017.
Additionally, Warsi and Kumar have reunited for ‘Welcome 3′, a film directed by Ahmed Khan, which is scheduled for a theatrical release on December 20, 2024. The film boasts an ensemble cast including Disha Patani, Raveena Tandon, Lara Dutta, Sanjay Dutt, and several other notable actors and comedians.
As discussions around Warsi’s controversial statements continue to circulate, it’s clear that his words have struck a nerve with many fans and followers of the film industry. The incident has opened up a broader conversation about the perceived cultural gap and the undercurrent of elitism that sometimes surfaces in Bollywood actors’ statements about other regional film industries.
In the increasingly interconnected world of Indian cinema, Warsi’s comments serve as a reminder of the importance of respect and sensitivity towards all film industries, recognizing each one’s unique contributions to the cultural tapestry of Indian entertainment.
