Indian cinema is a colorful, chaotic, and wildly entertaining place, made up of various film industries in different languages. From the grandeur of Hindi Bollywood blockbusters to the raw intensity of Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam films, there’s always something to enjoy. But ever since the pandemic shifted box office dynamics, it seems Bollywood’s reign as the umbrella term for Indian cinema is over—especially after 2021, when Telugu cinema emerged as the box office king with hits like RRR, KGF: Chapter 2, Pushpa, and Kantara leaving Hindi films in the dust.
So, is it Bollywood vs. Tollywood now? 😂 I’m from the South, and I like acting of all the actors. No one can match arshad warsi (sarkeshwar from Munna bhai MBBS), Prabhas (Bahubali, Mirchi) movies are unbeatable, and Nani’s movies are fantastic too!— Neal Sharma (@Neal_sharma09) August 22, 2024 Of course, this North vs.
South debate became a full-on cultural battleground on social media, with Tollywood riding high while Bollywood seemed stuck in a rut. But now, there’s a new storm brewing—call it Bollywood vs. Tollywood, Round 2.
And this time, the controversy was set off by none other than Munna Bhai M.B.B.
S. actor Arshad Warsi. So, what did Arshad do to stir up trouble? Well, during an interview, he casually dropped a bombshell about the pan-India film Kalki 2898 AD, saying he didn’t like it and, worse, calling Prabhas’ character Bhairava a “joker.
” Yes, you read that right—Arshad wanted Mad Max, but he felt he got something more like a circus act instead. “Why? I want to see a Mad Max. I want to see Mel Gibson over there.
Tumne usko kya bana diya yaar (What have you made of him?),” Arshad lamented. Naturally, this ignited a fan war on social media because when is the internet ever calm? South Indian fans clapped back hard, defending their star Prabhas like he was the king of Westeros. But it wasn’t just the fans—big names from the Telugu film fraternity jumped in too.
Actor Nani criticized Arshad’s comments but later apologized, while Vishnu Manchu, the President of the Movie Artistes Association (MAA), took it to the next level. He formally addressed Bollywood’s Cine & TV Artists Association (CINETAA), expressing his disappointment over Warsi’s “disrespectful” remarks. Vishnu Manchu (MAA President) writes a letter to the President of Cine & TV Artists Association, Mumbai expressing concern over Arshad Warsi’s remarks on #Kalki2898AD and #Prabhas .
pic.twitter.com/SDW0EXtznb — Bollywood Dadi (@bollywooddadi) August 23, 2024 Netizens, meanwhile, turned this spat into a full-on Tollywood vs.
Bollywood showdown. One user tweeted, "When Prabhas has no problem with Arshad Warsi's remark, why the fk is the whole Telugu industry going bonkers over it? Rajamouli made a comment on Hrithik, Mahesh Babu said Bollywood can't afford him while he does Paan Masala ads. Tamil & Malayalam film industry is the best from South India.
" Another user, not holding back, threw in some scorching shade: "For Bollywood mafia, we can compare that Arshad is far better than SRK's entire career. And by commenting on Prabhas, Arshad gained more popularity than SRK's whole career. Opinion?" When Prabhas has no problem with Arshad warsi remark why the fk whole Telugu Industry going bonkers over it, Rajamouli made comment on Hrithik, Mahesh Babu said Bollywood can't afford him while he can do Paan Masala ads.
Tamil & Malayalam film industry is best from South India. https://t.co/2shGOchWFb — Hetshaw (@hetshaw21855) August 23, 2024 for bollywood mafia, we can compare that Arshad is far more better actor than Entire SRK career.
And Arshad by commenting on Prabhas has gained far more popularity than Entire SRKs Career. Opinion ?— Indian_Maverick (@Agent2898) August 23, 2024 Admin congratulations you have bright future in comedy..
. Like arshad..
.. Nice job lets see bollywood box office Already ruled by prabhas(king of indian cinema) 🤘— honey (@Shivasahith699) August 23, 2024 what nani said is 100% true.
...
we telugu fans never heard of arshad until his statement on prabhas...
.that's what nani said..
.but bollywood media made it like a controversy— Nani (@nani_nr7) August 23, 2024 Not Arshad Warsi fans,Not Bollywood media..
. It's just HAKLAS aka SRK fans who are spreading hate in media🤡..
.as they cant stop crying since December 2023..
. The way #Prabhas𓃵 Banged gayRukKhan and his fans is unforgettable 😂..
. pic.twitter.
com/36jASXivOy — ...
.🌶️ (@thalabheem003) August 23, 2024 Be it the Prabhas Arshad fiasco or the Hanumankind story i have realized regional ego is too much down south, it has reached to an extent that they wish to completely disassociate themselves from India. I think this is not healthy for our country in general.
— Brobama (@neoperspectivez) August 23, 2024 And there you have it—what started as a single comment from Arshad Warsi spiraled into an all-out film industry feud. With social media blowing up and top brass getting involved, it seems this Bollywood vs. Tollywood debate has legs for days.
But hey, what’s Indian cinema without a little drama?.
