Prabhas’ Fauzi Teaser Sparks Netaji Controversy, Great-Grandnephew Demands Apology
Kolkata: A teaser for Prabhas’ upcoming period war drama Fauzi has sparked controversy over its portrayal of freedom fighter Subhas Chandra Bose alongside Nazi leader Adolf Hitler. Chandra Kumar Bose, Netaji’s great-grandnephew, has accused the filmmakers of distorting historical events and has demanded a public apology from director Hanu Raghavapudi and the production team.
The teaser was released on Oct. 23 to mark Prabhas’ birthday. Set against a historical backdrop, the film features a scene depicting an interaction between Bose and Hitler. In the sequence, Hitler appears to praise a fictional character played by Prabhas, prompting criticism from some viewers on social media.
Speaking to the media, Chandra Kumar Bose said filmmakers have the creative freedom to portray India’s independence movement but must not compromise historical accuracy. He described the alleged distortion of facts involving national figures as a serious offense and argued that dramatic storytelling should not come at the expense of historical integrity.
Bose also sought to clarify the circumstances behind Netaji’s contacts with Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan during the independence struggle. He said Bose approached Hitler and Japanese leader Hideki Tojo in an effort to secure international assistance for India’s liberation from British rule.
However, he stressed that these diplomatic efforts should not be interpreted as support for fascism. According to Chandra Kumar Bose, Netaji believed in democracy and the rights of the people.
He further maintained that Netaji engaged with Hitler as a representative of India’s independence movement, rather than as a subordinate. Bose also referred to German assistance in arranging the submarine journey that took Netaji toward Southeast Asia during World War II.
Discussing Hitler’s views on India, Chandra Kumar Bose cited Mein Kampf, arguing that the book reflected the Nazi leader’s limited understanding of the country’s history, traditions and culture. He also suggested that Hitler’s pursuit of power eventually overshadowed his stated national objectives.
Bose accused the Fauzi director of prioritizing dramatic effect over historical context. He said filmmakers should not diminish the stature of a prominent figure in India’s freedom struggle to promote a fictional protagonist. He called on the director and producers to apologize publicly to the Indian public and those who respect the country’s independence movement.
The teaser has also drawn criticism online. Some users argued that the portrayal places Prabhas’ fictional character at the center of a historical encounter in a way that risks overshadowing Netaji’s legacy. Others questioned the use of an AI-generated depiction of Bose in promotional material and called for legal action against the filmmakers.
Produced by Mythri Movie Makers and presented by T-Series Films, Fauzi is directed by Hanu Raghavapudi. Naveen Yerneni, Y. Ravi Shankar and Bhushan Kumar are credited as producers.
The film is scheduled for a theatrical release on March 19, 2027.
