Actor Prakash Raj has revealed that filmmaker SS Rajamouli is facing questions on social media over his decision to cast him in the upcoming film ‘Varanasi’.
According to Hindustan Times, the actor also addressed repeated boycott calls and recalled being banned from the Telugu film industry eight times.
Speaking on NTV’s talk show ‘Point Blank’, Prakash responded to criticism of his presence in films, arguing that online campaigns against him have not stopped audiences from watching his work, reports Hindustan Times.
Recalling the backlash surrounding his casting in ‘KGF’, he pointed out that the film went on to perform strongly at the box office despite calls to boycott him.
“When I starred in KGF, they had a problem with me acting in it. It made so much money; what do you do now?” he said.
He also referred to the box office performance of ‘Drishyam 3’, questioning how critics could prevent films from succeeding. Prakash said he was currently working on ‘Varanasi’, but some users on X were questioning Rajamouli for casting him.
“Who will be able to ban it?” he asked, adding that audiences who appreciate his performances have no problem with him.
The actor also responded to the host’s mention of his eight bans from Tollywood over alleged unprofessional conduct.
Rather than expressing regret, he said he believed in living honestly and accepting the difficulties that came with being different.
“Have I committed atrocities or stolen? Judge me by my work,” he said.
Prakash argued that an actor working across five languages and travelling frequently cannot always follow conventional schedules. He maintained that his work should be the basis for judging him.
The actor’s disagreements with sections of the Telugu film industry go back several years. He reportedly faced his first ban in 2008, with complaints often involving missed shooting schedules, late arrivals and disputes with producers over working arrangements.
Films such as ‘Jalsa’, ‘Kantri’ and ‘Parugu’ were also linked to such disagreements.
His differences with the industry became more visible during the 2021 Movie Artists Association (MAA) elections, when he contested against Vishnu Manchu for the president’s post.
Some members of the opposing camp questioned his place in Telugu cinema because he was born in Karnataka, describing him as an outsider.
Despite receiving support from prominent figures, including Chiranjeevi, Prakash lost the election and later alleged foul play. He also resigned from the association’s primary membership.
During the latest interview, he questioned why MAA had not held fresh elections since 2021, despite its rules requiring polls every two years.
In 2024, the association’s general body reportedly decided that Vishnu Manchu and his panel would remain in office until the construction of a new MAA building was completed.
Prakash has continued to work across Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam and Hindi cinema despite the controversies.
His career includes acclaimed performances in films such as ‘Iruvar’, ‘Kanchivaram’, ‘Singham’, ‘Wanted’ and ‘KGF’.
