Telangana’s Anti-Narcotics Bureau Slams Ghaati Trailer, Sparks Huge Controversy

Not every film trailer sparks applause; some spark alarms. That’s exactly what happened with Ghaati, the today released Telugu action crime drama, after Telangana’s Anti-Narcotics Bureau flagged its visuals as troubling. The agency argued that the trailer, which highlights cannabis cultivation and trade, risks being read as glamorisation of narcotics, a dangerous signal, they say, for impressionable youth.

The Bureau also took issue with the absence of statutory warnings, a standard requirement in Indian cinema whenever sensitive or harmful activities are shown. Officials stressed that films, being immersive and influential, bear more responsibility than most forms of art. Without proper disclaimers, they warned, such portrayals could normalize illegal activities and dilute the seriousness of the NDPS Act.

EAGLE, the state’s elite drug enforcement wing, urged the makers to insert scrolling warnings like “Ganja is banned in India and is extremely harmful to health” in every drug-related scene. They also underlined that repeated violation of these safeguards could invite legal action, making this not just a matter of creative liberty but one of strict law and order.

Yet, even amidst the storm, Ghaati continues to ride a wave of curiosity. Directed by Krish Jagarlamudi and headlined by Anushka Shetty, the film is slated for release on today. Whether controversy damages its run or fuels its box-office fire remains to be seen, but for now, Ghaati has become more than a movie; it’s a debate about cinema’s power, responsibility, and its boundaries.