The upcoming Telugu film Bhairavam, featuring Bellamkonda Sai Srinivas, Manchu Manoj, and Nara Rohith in lead roles, is navigating turbulent waters just days before its scheduled release on May 30, 2025. Directed by Vijay Kanakamedala, the film has found itself at the center of two distinct controversies, prompting a public apology from the director and fueling intense online debates among moviegoers.
The first controversy erupted when an old social media post from 2011, allegedly from director Vijay Kanakamedala’s Facebook account, resurfaced. This post contained a morphed and mocking image of Megastar Chiranjeevi and Mega Power Star Ram Charan. The resurfacing of this decade-old content sparked immediate outrage among “Mega fans,” leading to a widespread “#BoycottBhairavam” trend. Responding to the vocal backlash, Vijay Kanakamedala issued an apology on his X (formerly Twitter) account, claiming his profile might have been hacked in 2011 and asserting his deep respect for the Mega family.
Adding to the film’s woes, Bellamkonda Sai Srinivas himself stirred a fresh controversy during a recent promotional interview for Bhairavam. When questioned about marriage, the actor made lighthearted comments, stating, “I am also thinking of having two to three marriages like some heroes.” While seemingly made in jest, these remarks were widely interpreted by many as a thinly veiled satire on Power Star Pawan Kalyan’s personal life, given his multiple marriages, immediately drawing the ire of his dedicated fanbase.
The film’s promotional events have become fertile ground for controversy, with director Vijay Kanakamedala also facing political backlash for a comment made at an Eluru event, which was perceived as a dig at the YSR Congress Party. These intertwined incidents have led to brutal trolling and a concerted effort by various fan groups to boycott Bhairavam. While some argue that Bellamkonda’s comments were merely playful, the controversies highlight the sensitive landscape of celebrity remarks and their reception in the highly charged Telugu film industry.