Kalki Controversy Still Happening: What Lyricist Said?

During the time of its release, Prabhas and Nag Ashwin’s Kalki had a controversy regarding the choice of words in one of the lyrical songs in the film. A fresh discussion has resurfaced around the film Kalki 2898 AD after a prominent Telugu lyricist reiterated his earlier criticism of the movie’s portrayal of mythological characters.

Renowned lyricist Anantha Sriram once again defended the remarks he made earlier about the film, stating that he still stands by his criticism. The movie, directed by Nag Ashwin and starring Prabhas, became one of the biggest box office successes after Baahubali 2, impressing audiences with its grand visuals and futuristic storytelling inspired by the Mahabharata.

However, the lyricist had objected to the way the character of Karna was portrayed in the film. According to him, the presentation elevated Karna while seemingly diminishing the stature of Arjuna, which he believes is a distortion of the original epic narrative.

In a recent interview, Sriram said that the Ramayana and Mahabharata are not just stories but part of India’s historical and cultural heritage. He argued that filmmakers do not have the right to alter these epics for commercial entertainment. He emphasized that portraying controversial characters as heroic figures for cinematic impact should not be encouraged.

The lyricist also stated that earlier there were fewer platforms for people to question such portrayals, but today public discourse has changed. He maintained that he would continue to speak out whenever mythological stories are altered or misrepresented in films.

His comments have once again triggered mixed reactions on social media, with some supporting his stand and others defending the creative freedom of filmmakers.