Amid the massive success of Pushpa 2: The Rule, which has shattered several box office records, the film is now embroiled in a fresh controversy. Karni Sena, a prominent community group, has issued a strong threat to the film’s producer over the portrayal of a character played by Fahadh Faasil.
The issue stems from the character of ‘Shekhawat,’ a negative role in the film, which the community claims insults the Kshatriya community. Raj Shekhawat, a leader of Karni Sena, took to social media to demand that the makers remove the repeated use of the term ‘Shekhawat,’ alleging that it paints their community in a derogatory light. He further warned the producers, stating that if the film’s content isn’t altered, they would resort to drastic measures, including physically confronting the makers at their homes.
In his statement, Raj Shekhawat said, “The movie has done grave insult to Kshatriyas. The ‘Shekhawat’ community has been presented in a poor light. This industry has been insulting the Kshatriyas in the name of freedom of speech, and they have again done the same thing. The makers of the movie should remove the continuous use of the ‘Shekhawat’ word from the movie, or else Karni Sena will go to any limits as required.”
This controversy is not the first that Pushpa 2 has sparked. On the premiere night of the film, a chaotic situation at Sandhya Theater in Hyderabad led to the tragic death of a woman, resulting in a stampede-like scenario. The incident led to a case being registered, and three individuals, including the theater owner, were arrested. In response, Allu Arjun promised to support the victim’s family, offering financial assistance of Rs. 25 lakhs and covering hospital expenses.
As Pushpa 2 continues to stir up debates, it remains to be seen how the filmmakers will respond to these mounting issues, especially with Karni Sena’s latest ultimatum.