Arshad Warsi found himself in hot water after making a remark about Prabhas in a recent interview. During the discussion, Warsi expressed disappointment with Prabhas' portrayal in the film Kalki 2898 AD, describing the actor's appearance as "like a joker." This comment has sparked a wave of backlash from Prabhas' fanbase, who took to social media to troll Arshad for his comment.
What Arshad Warsi said about Prabhas
Arshad, in an interview with Samish Bhatia on his show “Unfiltered”, said he didn’t like Kalki 2898 AD and criticised Prabhas’ portrayal of Bhairava. “Prabhas, I am really sad, why was he… he was like a joker. Why? I want to see a Mad Max. I want to see Mel Gibson over there. Tumne usko kya bana dia yaar. Kyu karte ho aisa? Mujhe nahin samajh mein aata (What have you made of it? Why do they do such things? I never understand),” he said.
How Prabhas fans reacted
The fallout was swift and intense, with Prabhas fans flooding Arshad Warsi's official Instagram profile, hurling insults and slurs at the actor. A Reddit post titled "Prabhas fans on Arshad Warsi's official Instagram profile calling out slurs and abuses" highlighted the sheer volume of negative comments aimed at Warsi, with some fans going so far as to call him a "joker" in retaliation. Others pointed out the massive box office success of Kalki 2898 AD, which grossed over Rs 1000 crore worldwide.
Netizens discuss celebrity worship in India
The Reddit thread sparked a broader discussion about the nature of celebrity worship in India, with many users noting that such extreme reactions are not uncommon. One user remarked, "In a country where actors, cricketers, and politicians are worshipped, don't be surprised..." Another echoed this sentiment, saying, "This was bound to happen. That's a lot of comments though." Others criticised the behaviour of these so-called fans, with one user calling them "jobless duffers with no life of their own."
Some Redditors argued that Warsi would have faced a similar backlash if he had made such remarks about other Bollywood superstars like Shah Rukh Khan or Salman Khan. "If he said the same thing about Shah Rukh Khan or Salman Khan, he would still get the same response. No surprise here," one user commented. Another added, "We live in such a place where we literally worship celebrities, it's honestly expected and not at all surprising."
About Kalki 2898 AD
Kalki 2898 AD, directed by Nag Ashwin, is a sci-fi epic featuring an ensemble cast that includes Deepika Padukone, Amitabh Bachchan, Kamal Haasan, and others. The film, set in a post-apocalyptic world inspired by Hindu scriptures, has been a box office juggernaut, drawing audiences with its star-studded lineup and ambitious narrative.