Producer Naga Vamsi, known for his contributions to South Indian cinema, recently found himself at the center of controversy following a roundtable discussion with producer Boney Kapoor. The conversation, which revolved around the evolving dynamics of Bollywood and South Indian cinema, led to backlash, with many accusing Vamsi of being disrespectful toward Boney Kapoor.
Vamsi Responds to Criticism
Speaking to Telugu360, Vamsi expressed regret over the perception of disrespect, stating that he had no intention of offending anyone. “If they really believe I disrespected Boney, I am sorry. I never wanted to disrespect anyone, especially Bollywood,” he said, adding that his comments were a reflection of his pride in the success of South Indian cinema in recent years.
Vamsi further emphasized his admiration for Bollywood and revealed that filmmaker Karan Johar was a key inspiration in his journey into filmmaking. “Ever since I watched Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, I knew I wanted to make a rich-looking film like that someday,” he shared. He also expressed his fondness for Bollywood icons like Shah Rukh Khan, Ranbir Kapoor, and Deepika Padukone.
The Roundtable Controversy
The controversy stemmed from remarks Vamsi made during a December roundtable discussion with Boney Kapoor. During the conversation, Vamsi stated, “We, South Indians, have changed the way you (Bollywood) look at cinema. You guys were stuck in making films for Bandra and Juhu. You witnessed a change with Baahubali, RRR, Animal, and Jawan.” Boney Kapoor disagreed with this assessment, sparking debate among fans and filmmakers alike.
Vamsi defended his comments, explaining that his pride in South Indian cinema’s accomplishments post-COVID was misconstrued as arrogance. “Rajamouli made RRR and Baahubali, Prashanth Neel made KGF, Rishab Shetty made Kantara, Sandeep Reddy Vanga made Animal, and Atlee made Jawan. These films redefined Indian cinema. I simply pointed out how well we performed,” he clarified.
Bollywood vs South Cinema
The producer reiterated that his remarks were not intended to disparage Bollywood but to highlight the achievements of South Indian filmmakers. “Pushpa 2 generated records no Hindi film has to date. Of course, I will be proud of it. It’s not arrogance,” Vamsi asserted.
Conclusion
Despite the controversy, Vamsi emphasized that he and Boney Kapoor were on good terms after the interview. As the debate between Bollywood and South Indian cinema continues, Vamsi’s clarification highlights the shared respect and admiration that underpins India’s diverse film industry.
Sources By Agencies
