‘8 Vasantalu’ makers face backlash over controversial Kashi scene

The team behind “8 Vasantalu,” which released last week to largely negative reviews, held a press meet recently, branding it a “success meet” despite the film’s dismal box office performance. However, the event took a tense turn when the director was questioned about a controversial scene set in Kashi (Varanasi).

A particular sequence in the film features the lead character, played by Ananthika Sanilkumar, seeking help from a Brahmin priest to locate an address. Shockingly, the priest instead leads her to a slaughterhouse and attempts to rape her. During the press interaction, a journalist confronted director Phanindra Narsetti, questioning the intent behind portraying a Brahmin priest from the sacred city of Kashi in such a negative light.

The journalist criticized the scene as a deliberate attempt to malign the Brahmin community under the guise of showcasing the heroine’s martial arts skills.

The pointed question sparked a moment of discomfort, and the team reportedly failed to offer a convincing explanation for the creative choice. The director failed to attend the event.

The sequence has since triggered online backlash, with viewers calling out what they see as an insensitive and inappropriate portrayal, especially given the setting of one of Hinduism’s holiest cities.

“8 Vasantalu” is produced by Ravikumar and Naveen Yerneni of Mythri Movie Makers. We have to see how BJP will respond to this controversy.