New Delhi: Actor Prakash Raj is facing legal action and a wave of public criticism after a video of his remarks on Ramayana resurfaced online, sparking fresh outrage and calls to remove him from the high-profile film ‘Varanasi’.
The remarks were made in January during a session at the Kerala Literature Festival, where Prakash Raj was in conversation with journalist Shahina KK. He recounted a creative, satirical version of Ramayana performed by a children’s theatre group in a workshop.
Recapitulating the story, Prakash Raj described Lord Ram and Lakshman as north Indians who ate fruits from a field in the south. “While they were eating, Shurpanakha (Ravana’s sister) and Ravan suddenly appeared. An angry Shurpanakha said, ‘Brother, they are eating fruits.’ On this, Ravan said, ‘They are hungry. Let them eat. We will talk later.’”
He continued: “Ram said that we have eaten fruits from Ravana’s field, so we will pay. On this, Shurpanakha said, ‘$2,000 with GST.’ Ram and Lakshman said that they did not have money, even after Ravana gave them a discount. Then Ravana said, ‘You had come here in search of fruits, and now that you have eaten the fruits, plant their seeds, grow trees, and go back.’”
Many interpreted the retelling, along with his additional comments, as an allegory for North-South cultural tensions. Prakash Raj reportedly added that people from
the North should “come to the South, work, and then go back,” while opposing ideas like “one nation, one election.”
After the video surfaced online, advocate Amita Sachdeva filed a complaint with South District Cyber Cell of the Delhi Police on April 16, alleging that the actor’s statements were “deliberately malicious” and intended to hurt religious sentiments. She described herself as a “devout Hindu and concerned citizen” and said such remarks against Bhagwans and Sanatan Dharma should not be tolerated.
Reports indicate that a criminal case has also been registered, although official confirmation is still awaited.
So far, neither the actor nor his legal team has responded to the controversy.
The issue has spilled over to social media, drawing mixed reactions.
While some users have criticised the actor for allegedly hurting religious sentiments, others have defended his comments as a creative retelling.
Calls to boycott his upcoming projects, including ‘Varanasi’, have also emerged. Helmed by SS Rajamouli, ‘Varanasi’ features Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra and Prithviraj Sukumaran in lead roles.
In a separate video from another public appearance, the actor is also seen speaking about cultural practices such as language and food, stressing that individuals should not be compelled to follow uniform norms.
The controversy comes shortly after a personal loss for the actor.
His mother, Swarnalatha Raj, passed away in March 2026. Visuals of him performing her last rites had circulated widely online, drawing mixed reactions, to which he said he was honouring her beliefs.
The actor was recently seen in ‘Dacoit’, alongside Adivi Sesh, Mrunal Thakur and Anurag Kashyap.
His upcoming projects remain on schedule even as the controversy continues.