Bollywood actor Arshad Warsi has sparked a social media storm with his recent comments about South Indian superstar Prabhas. Warsi, who referred to Prabhas as a “joker” in the film Kalki 2898 AD, has divided fans and industry insiders alike. While Prabhas’ supporters have reacted with outrage, some viewers who have watched the film on OTT platforms have voiced agreement with Warsi’s critique.
The controversy began when Warsi, known for his roles in films like Munnabhai MBBS and Golmaal, commented on Prabhas’ performance in Kalki 2898 AD, calling it disappointing and referring to the actor as a “joker.” This statement drew immediate backlash from Prabhas’ fanbase and industry peers. Director Nag Ashwin and actor Nani have already expressed their displeasure over Warsi’s remarks, defending Prabhas and condemning the derogatory language used.
However, the situation escalated further when an old video of Arshad Warsi resurfaced, adding fuel to the fire. In the video, Warsi is seen commenting on the popularity of dubbed South Indian films in North India. When asked about the success of films like KGF in the Hindi-speaking belt, Warsi replied, “All the people working in my house watch dubbed South films. These films are highly entertaining. If Rajinikanth is such a big star, there must be a reason. It’s entertaining, you don’t need to think much, you don’t need to use your mind. It’s a full-time pass—eat popcorn, watch the movie, and go home.”
This remark, perceived by many as condescending, reignited the anger of South Indian fans. Social media users lashed out at Warsi, accusing him of looking down on South Indian cinema and those who enjoy it. One user commented, “This joker thinks his workers are beneath him because they watch South Indian movies.” Another added, “This shows even his servants prefer South films over his movies.”
The controversy stems from Warsi’s earlier comments in an interview, where he expressed disappointment with Prabhas’ appearance in Kalki 2898 AD, saying it was sad to see the Baahubali actor in such a state.
As the debate rages on, it remains to be seen how this controversy will affect Warsi’s standing with fans and within the industry, especially as tensions between North and South Indian cinema continue to simmer.
