Vijayendra Prasad trigger NTR vs Ram Charan fan wars

In 2022, the collaborative masterpiece RRR, directed by SS Rajamouli and starring Ram Charan and Jr NTR, took the world by storm. The film’s creators initially emphasized the equal importance of both Charan’s Alluri Sitaramaraju and NTR’s Komaram Bheem in the intricate narrative.

Fast forward two years, in a recent interview, writer Vijayendra Prasad, the father of SS Rajamouli, offered a nuanced perspective. While intending to compliment Jr NTR’s portrayal of Bheem by terming it a ‘supporting’ role, fans interpreted it differently. He explained, “When I crafted the story, my vision was for people to connect with Alluri Sitaramaraju through Charan, not Ram. However, some in the northern regions insisted it felt more like Ram.” He continued, “NTR’s Bheem lacked a distinctive appearance, leading to a perceived reduction in his overall importance to the story.”

Vijayendra Prasad shared that although he initially thought Ram Charan’s role would be more impactful, he now believes Jr NTR’s role was more challenging. He remarked, “I initially thought both characters were pivotal, but after watching the film, it seemed that Charan’s character would be more memorable. Nevertheless, portraying NTR’s role, supporting throughout, was a challenging feat.”

This perspective triggered a range of reactions among fans. Jr NTR’s enthusiasts were displeased with the implication that their favorite actor played a supporting role, while Ram Charan’s supporters were thrilled to witness their star receiving more prominence. The latter even sparked a trend on social media, celebrating ‘unrivalled Ram Charan supremacy’ and sharing videos of SS Rajamouli and Vijayendra discussing Ram Charan.

The aftermath of Vijayendra Prasad’s comments has also raised concerns about the future of multi-starrers in Tollywood. Some expressed disappointment, stating, “With due respect, Writer V. Vijayendra Prasad has potentially jeopardized the prospect of top stars collaborating in Telugu Cinema with his insensitive comments. No Top Star might agree to be part of a Star-studded Ensemble now! And what about SS Rajamouli’s dreams of a Mega Mahabharat?”

However, others argued that Vijayendra Prasad has the right to share his feelings, and the situation shouldn’t be blown out of proportion. “Each individual has the right to express their opinions about the work done in their movies. The media shouldn’t dictate what Rajamouli has to do. They are adults. And the media is not a parent or teacher!”