Director Maruthi Issues Apology to Jr NTR Fans After Unintended Remark at The Raja Saab Movie Event
Director Maruthi Issues Apology to Jr NTR Fans After Unintended Remark at The Raja Saab Movie Event
A recent promotional event for The Raja Saab in Hyderabad sparked unexpected controversy after director Maruthi made a comment that many interpreted as a subtle jab at Jr NTR’s iconic collar gesture. The song launch, held at Vimal 70 MM Theatre on Sunday, drew massive crowds of Prabhas fans, even though the actor himself was not present. Excitement was high as attendees waited more than two hours for the unveiling of the track Rebel Saab.
The Comment That Triggered Reactions
While speaking about Prabhas’ performance in the film, Maruthi referred to popular fan gestures and said:
“I won’t say you’ll feel like raising your collar after watching this, because that’s too little for someone like Prabhas.”
Many Jr NTR fans immediately recognised the reference to NTR’s signature collar-lifting pose—something the star has showcased during War 2 promotions and other public appearances. The comment quickly circulated online, with fans believing the director had taken a swipe at their favourite actor. – Director Maruthi Issues Apology to Jr NTR Fans After Unintended Remark at The Raja Saab Movie Event
Social Media Backlash
Shortly after the clip went viral, sections of Jr NTR’s fanbase expressed their displeasure on social media platforms, calling the remark unnecessary and disrespectful. The “collar gesture,” strongly linked to NTR’s persona and fan culture, became the focal point of heated discussions.
Maruthi Responds With an Apology
To calm the growing outrage, Maruthi took to X (formerly Twitter) to clarify his intentions. In his statement, he wrote:
“I sincerely apologise to every fan. My intention was never to hurt or disrespect anyone. Sometimes words come out differently in the flow of conversation, and I regret that it was understood as a comparison.”
He further added that he holds deep respect for Jr NTR and the passionate community that supports him:
“I have immense respect for NTR garu and all his fans. I value the love you have for cinema and for your hero. I wanted to address this with honesty and hope you understand the intention behind my words.”
Director Maruthi Issues Apology to Jr NTR Fans After Unintended Remark at The Raja Saab Movie Event
Event Faced Technical Delays
Apart from the controversy, the event also experienced delays due to technical issues. Producer SKN informed the audience that a technical glitch caused the two-hour wait before the song could be played.
About The Raja Saab
Directed by Maruthi and backed by People Media Factory in collaboration with IVY Entertainment, The Raja Saab is a horror-comedy starring Prabhas, Malavika Mohanan, Riddhi Kumar, Nidhhi Agerwal, and Sanjay Dutt. The film is slated for a January 9 release, aligning with the festive Sankranthi weekend.
Director Maruthi Issues Apology to Jr NTR Fans After Unintended Remark at The Raja Saab Movie Event
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