Hanuman controversy erupts in ‘Varanasi’: Police complaint filed against director S.S. Rajamouli

An organization known as the ‘Rashtriya Vanarasena’ has filed a police complaint against acclaimed director S.S. Rajamouli following comments he made regarding the Hindu deity Hanuman at a promotional event.

The controversy stems from the grand teaser launch of Rajamouli’s upcoming epic, tentatively titled ‘Varanasi,’ which stars Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra, and Prithviraj.

During his address, Rajamouli reportedly stated that he does not personally believe in God and expressed his frustration over his father’s insistence on relying on Lord Hanuman’s blessings for the success of his films.

The comments immediately sparked outrage on social media. Critics pointed out the contradiction between the director’s personal atheism and his frequent use of Hindu mythological themes—like those depicted in the ‘Varanasi’ teaser—for commercial gain.

The ‘Rashtriya Vanarasena’ filed their complaint at the Sarurnagar Police Station in Hyderabad, alleging that Rajamouli’s remarks severely hurt the religious sentiments of Hindus. The production team of the film, which is slated for a 2027 release, has yet to issue an official statement on the matter.