The glimpse of Fauzi, the Prabhas film directed by Hanu Raghavapudi, has run into controversy. Chandra Kumar Bose, grandnephew of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, has objected to a scene in which Netaji meets Hitler.

What Bose said

  • He told IANS: "Distorting facts and resorting to fiction while dealing with national icons is, I think, a crime."
  • He said Netaji "vehemently opposed fascism and believed in democracy and people's democratic rights."
  • He said Netaji dealt with Hitler and Japan's Hideki Tojo because he saw they could help India's freedom struggle.
  • He said the director "should apologise to the people of India and all those who value the country's freedom struggle."

Critics say the glimpse uses Netaji to build up the hero's character. The glimpse and the release date were unveiled around Prabhas's birthday on 23 October.

Fauzi is set for a worldwide release on 19 March 2027, moved from an earlier December 2026 target. Mythri Movie Makers is producing the film, which marks Imanvi's debut as the female lead. The makers have not responded to Bose's demand.