Netaji's Grandnephew Demands Immediate Takedown of Prabhas Starrer
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Pan-India star Prabhas's highly anticipated period action spectacle Fauzi has run into a major political and historical storm following the release of its introductory teaser. Chandra Kumar Bose, noted socio-political activist, former West Bengal BJP vice-president, and grandnephew of legendary freedom fighter Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, has publicly demanded the immediate withdrawal of the teaser. Expressing sharp indignation over the visual narrative, Bose accused director Hanu Raghavapudi and production house Mythri Movie Makers of deliberately distorting Indian history by using real, towering national icons like Netaji to artificially elevate a fictional cinematic protagonist. Declaring that "mixing fiction with history is a crime," Bose has formally appealed directly to the filmmakers and Prabhas to retract the promotional material and issue a corrected version.
Why the 'File No 25' Teaser Sparked National Outrage: The 1942 Berlin Scene
The controversy centers around the conceptual premise showcased in the teaser, released on October 23 to commemorate Prabhas's 47th birthday:
The Historical Setting: Titled File No 25, the introductory glimpse unfolds against the volatile backdrop of World War II in 1942 Berlin, featuring a dramatic meeting between Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and German dictator Adolf Hitler.
The Fictional Exaggeration: During the depicted exchange, the character representing Netaji is shown briefing Hitler about an Indian superspy who sabotaged British forces and facilitated Japan's takeover of Singapore, utilizing an impenetrable military code inspired by the Bhagavad Gita.
Hero Introduction via Historical Figures: The scene establishes Prabhas's fictional soldier-spy as Netaji's ultimate operative, culminating in a high-octane action sequence where the actor operates a heavy machine gun.
Core Objection: Critics, historians, and political observers argue that showing Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose vouching for and praising an imaginary cinematic character in an international diplomatic setting crosses the boundary between creative license and historical misrepresentation.
Chandra Kumar Bose's Strong Warning: 'Do Not Compromise National Legacy'
The pushback gained nationwide traction after socio-political commentator Suparno Satpathy shared the teaser on social media, prompting an emphatic response from Netaji's grandnephew:
Direct Appeal to Makers: Chandra Kumar Bose urged director Hanu Raghavapudi and Mythri Movie Makers to withdraw the current video asset across all digital platforms without delay.
Distortion Concerns for Future Generations: Bose noted that mainstream cinema shapes the historical memory of millions of young viewers, warning that showing Netaji actively endorsing a fictional character compromises genuine archival records of the Indian National Army (INA) and India's freedom struggle.
Call to Prabhas: Bose expressed hope that superstar Prabhas would take note of the public sentiment and intervene to ensure that historical sensitivities surrounding national icons are strictly preserved.
Inside Hanu Raghavapudi's 'Fauzi': Cast, Plot, and Theatrical Release Timeline
Despite the controversy, the big-budget period production remains one of Indian cinema's most closely watched upcoming releases:
Directorial Vision: Helmed by Hanu Raghavapudi, widely acclaimed for his classical romantic drama Sita Ramam, the film is designed as a large-scale military espionage drama set across the 1930s and 1940s.
Star Cast: Alongside Prabhas in the titular role of a soldier-spy challenging British colonial dominance, the film features debutante actress Imanvi as the female lead alongside veteran actor Anupam Kher in a pivotal character.
Production and Worldwide Debut: Jointly produced by Naveen Yerneni and Y. Ravi Shankar under Mythri Movie Makers and presented globally by T-Series Films, Fauzi is slated to arrive in theaters worldwide on March 19, 2027.
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