Tollywood celebrities have expressed their outrage at Bollywood actor Arshad Warsi's comments about Prabhas, with Sharwanand and MAA President Manchu Vishnu leading the charge.

Arshad's remarks, made during a recent interview, implied that he found Prabhas's performance in the film "Kalki" underwhelming. His comments sparked widespread criticism, with many accusing him of disrespecting a prominent South Indian actor.

Sharwanand, a respected Tollywood actor, took to Twitter to voice his disapproval, stating that respecting fellow actors is fundamental to the profession.Sharwanand posted "An actor should never criticize another actor. It’s a basic ethic."

An actor should never criticize another actor. It’s a basic ethic.

— Sharwanand (@ImSharwanand) August 23, 2024

Manchu Vishnu, in his capacity as the President of the Movie Artistes Association (MAA), issued a strongly worded statement condemning Arshad's remarks. Vishnu highlighted the importance of respecting fellow artists, regardless of regional affiliation, and emphasized the need for civility in public discourse.

Other Tollywood personalities, including Ajay Bhupathi and Sudhir Babu, joined the chorus of disapproval on social media.Arshad's controversial remarks were made during a podcast interview with Samdish Bhatia. He expressed disappointment with Prabhas' portrayal in the film, comparing it to a "joker" and expressing his desire for a more "Mad Max" style performance. His comments went viral on social media, drawing ire from many Prabhas fans.

Despite facing criticism over Arshad Warsi's comments, "Kalki 2898 AD" garnered immense box office success, grossing over ₹1100 crore worldwide upon its release in July. The film, directed by Nag Ashwin, features a captivating ensemble cast including Deepika Padukone, Amitabh Bachchan, and Kamal Haasan.

Arshad Warsi, renowned for his performances in films like "Munna Bhai MBBS" and "Golmaal," was last seen in the web series "Asur" and "Modern Love Mumbai." He is set to appear next in "Jolly LLB 3" alongside Akshay Kumar.

The incident underscores the growing sensitivity around inter-regional comparisons and the need for respectful dialogue within the film industry. While freedom of expression is paramount, it is crucial to exercise caution and responsibility when commenting on fellow actors, especially in the age of social media.