Warsi had remarked, “Prabhas, I am really sad. He was like a joker. Why?"

This was widely misunderstood and seen as a personal attack on Prabhas

Warsi clarified that his comments were about the character, not the actor

Bollywood actor Arshad Warsi recently found himself at the center of a controversy following his comments about Kalki 2898 AD, starring Prabhas. Warsi, known for his candid nature, commented on the character Prabhas portrayed in the film, sparking a backlash from fans and industry insiders who perceived it as a critique of the actor himself.

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In a podcast, Warsi had remarked, “Prabhas, I am really sad. He was like a joker. Why? I want to see a Mad Max, a Mel Gibson.” This statement was widely misunderstood, with many interpreting it as a personal attack on Prabhas, one of Telugu cinema’s biggest stars. The backlash included harsh criticism from fans and even formal letters sent to actors’ associations in Hindi cinema.

At the IIFA 2024 event, Warsi addressed the controversy, emphasizing that his comments were about the character, not the actor. “Prabhas is a brilliant actor and has proven himself time and again. But when a good actor is given a poorly written character, it’s disappointing for the audience,” Warsi clarified.

He also stressed the need for unity in Indian cinema, stating that linguistic divisions in the film industry are a thing of the past. Warsi hinted at future directorial ambitions, expressing a desire to work with talented actors from across India. He ended by teasing fans with a potential update on Munnabhai 3, saying talks were underway for the beloved franchise’s return.