By Entertainment Bureau New Delhi Chronicle
October 26, 2026
NEW DELHI — The upcoming period war drama Fauzi, starring pan-India actor Prabhas, has plunged into serious legal and artistic controversy. Chandra Kumar Bose, grandnephew of legendary freedom fighter Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, has expressed strong outrage over the portrayal of the national icon in the film’s recently released teaser.
Calling out the filmmakers for twisting historical realities to elevate a fictional protagonist, Chandra Kumar Bose has demanded an unconditional apology from director Hanu Raghavapudi to the nation.
“Distorting facts and resorting to fiction while dealing with national icons is, I think, a crime,” said Chandra Kumar Bose. “The director should apologize to the people of India and all those who value the country’s freedom struggle.”
Creative Freedom vs. Historical Integrity
The controversy erupted following the release of the 2-minute-31-second teaser for Fauzi. Set against the backdrop of World War II, the video features a fictionalized meeting in Berlin between Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and German dictator Adolf Hitler. In the scene, Netaji is depicted introducing and praising Prabhas’s character, portrayed as a fierce Indian rebel soldier, to Hitler.
Addressing the portrayal, Chandra Kumar Bose emphasized that Netaji met Adolf Hitler as an equal representative of a patriotic movement, standing firm in his ideological principles rather than functioning as a subordinate or a fictional hero’s promoter.
“Netaji had a gigantic personality and should not be shown in a way that reduces his stature,” Bose stated. He noted that while Netaji sought external support to liberate India, Hitler’s views on India in Mein Kampf reflected a deep ignorance of Indian heritage and history
Social Media Outrage and Audience Backlash
The controversy comes amidst widespread online criticism from moviegoers and history enthusiasts alike. Social media users accused the film’s creators of “aura farming”—using revered historical figures simply to boost the main character’s onscreen grandeur.
While a segment of fans has argued that the film is a commercial work of historical fiction inspired by true events, historians and relatives of freedom fighters stress that creative liberty should not compromise national heritage.
The production team of Fauzi, including Mythri Movie Makers and director Hanu Raghavapudi, has yet to issue an official statement addressing the demands.
