Ravi Shankar breaks silence on Pawan Kalyan's statement 'heroes as smugglers'

Filmmaker Ravi Shankar recently addressed the controversy sparked by actor-turned-politician Pawan Kalyan’s remarks about the portrayal of heroes in films. Pawan Kalyan commented on how the image of heroes has shifted over the decades, from protectors of the forest to those depicted as smugglers. His statements led to speculation that he was indirectly criticizing the upcoming film 'Pushpa 2: The Rule', where Allu Arjun’s character is a smuggler.

Ravi Shankar, one of the producers of 'Pushpa 2', clarified the situation during a press conference in Hyderabad for another film as per a report by Gulte. He said that Pawan Kalyan’s remarks were taken out of context and were not directed at 'Pushpa 2'. Shankar explained that Pawan Kalyan’s stature in the industry is such that he wouldn’t make comments that would harm the film industry. He also pointed out that Pawan was discussing a broader issue about how heroes are portrayed in modern cinema, and his comments were not a direct reference to any specific film.

The controversy began when Pawan Kalyan, while speaking at an event in Karnataka, reflected on the changing roles of heroes in cinema. He mentioned that heroes were once seen as protectors of nature, but now they are often depicted as characters involved in illegal activities, like smuggling. Pawan Kalyan expressed his discomfort with this shift, stating that such portrayals might send the wrong message to society.

The release date for 'Pushpa 2: The Rule' is set for December 6, 2024, Ravi Shankar assured that the film remains on track and that there is no ill will between Pawan Kalyan and the makers of 'Pushpa'.Get the latest entertainment updates from the Times of India, along with the latest Hindi movies, upcoming Hindi movies in 2026 , and Telugu movies.”