Prakash Raj has addressed the boycott calls that often follow his films and shared a striking detail about SS Rajamouli’s upcoming movie Varanasi. On the Point Blank talk show on NTV, the actor said that people on X (formerly Twitter) are questioning Rajamouli for casting him in the big-budget film. He also spoke about being banned by the Telugu film industry eight times and his loss in the Movie Artists Association (MAA) elections.
Prakash Raj Addresses Boycott Calls on NTV’s Point Blank
The conversation on NTV’s Point Blank turned to the regular calls for boycotting films featuring Prakash Raj. The actor pointed out that several of his biggest projects have faced such campaigns and still performed well at the box office.
“When I starred in KGF, they had a problem with me acting in it. It made so much money; what do you do now? You said, let’s ban Prakash Raj, and yet Drishyam 3 collected more. Who can stop movies? At most, they can stop films I produce. I am primarily an actor. I am in Varanasi now. On X, they are questioning Rajamouli for casting me in the film. Who will be able to ban it?”
The actor added that people who have seen his work and appreciate it do not have a problem with him. His comments come at a time when social media campaigns have become a regular part of film releases in India, with users often targeting projects based on the off-screen views of cast members.
The Irony of Boycotts That Did Not Work
Prakash Raj used his own box-office record to show that online campaigns do not always translate into real-world results. KGF and Drishyam 3 are two examples he named. Both films featured him in key roles and went on to do strong business despite calls for boycotts.
The actor’s point was simple: audiences care about the film itself, not the personal politics of every person in the cast. “Who can stop movies?” he asked on the show, suggesting that a film’s fate is decided by the people who buy tickets, not by trending hashtags.
A Career Marked by Eight Tollywood Bans
When the host brought up that Prakash Raj had been banned eight times in Tollywood over alleged unprofessionalism, he did not deny it. He smiled and responded with a question of his own.
“Isn’t it beautiful to lead a life where everyone needn’t be the same? To live a life like this, to be honest, and to face issues that come with it is what I am all about. What’s wrong with it? Have I committed atrocities or stolen? Judge me by my work. I’m not in jail to come and leave at certain times; that is how an artist works. When I am working in five languages and travelling, it happens.”
The bans are part of his long history with the Telugu film industry. Prakash Raj became the first actor to ever be banned from the Telugu film industry in 2008. The first ban was imposed by a coordination committee of the Telugu Film Producers Council and the Movie Artistes Association after he did not report for the shooting of the movie Sidhu. Problems had also come up during the shooting of big films like Jalsa, Kantri, and Parugu.
Over the years, the complaints against him often involved missing shooting schedules, arriving late on set, and refusing to compromise on set. In 2024, while speaking at ABP Network’s The Southern Rising Summit, Prakash Raj said the industry had tried to ban him eight times and it had not worked.
“You throw stones at a tree which gives fruits. That’s why they try to ban me. They have tried 8 times; it has not worked. I have been an outsider in the industry with my roots being in Karnataka. So, it has always not been easy.”
MAA Election Loss and the ‘Outsider’ Label
The bans are not the only battles Prakash Raj has fought inside the industry. In 2021, the Movie Artists Association (MAA) held its elections, and Prakash Raj contested for the post of president against Vishnu Manchu. He lost by a narrow margin. Reports put the gap at 107 votes.
The campaign turned bitter, with the opposition often calling him an “outsider” because he was born in Karnataka, despite his long and successful career in Telugu cinema. After the loss, Prakash Raj resigned from the primary membership of MAA. He had support from industry stalwarts like Chiranjeevi, but it was not enough to win the election.
On the Point Blank show, the actor pointed out that MAA elections have not been held since 2021, even though the body is supposed to hold them every two years. In 2024, the general body agreed that Vishnu Manchu and his panel should remain in office until the new MAA office building is completed. As of 2026, there has been no update on a new building.
Varanasi Role and What We Know So Far
The film at the centre of the latest discussion is Varanasi, directed by SS Rajamouli. Prakash Raj confirmed his role in the movie in February 2026.
“I am working in Rajamouli’s Varanasi. I play a Maha Shiva Bhakt in the film,” he said at a public event. Reports also suggest that he could be playing the father of the lead character, played by Mahesh Babu, though there has been no official confirmation on this.
The role was initially reported to be played by Rajat Kapoor. Reports indicate that Kapoor left the project due to creative differences, after which Prakash Raj was brought on board. This marks Prakash Raj’s first collaboration with Rajamouli.
Varanasi is a large-scale mythological action drama. Mahesh Babu plays Rudhra, a globe-trotting, time-travelling adventurer. Priyanka Chopra Jonas plays Mandakini, a mysterious character, while Prithviraj Sukumaran plays the main antagonist Kumbha. Mahesh Babu will also appear as Lord Rama in a key episode within the story. The film is being made for IMAX presentation and includes elaborate mythic sequences.
Rajamouli confirmed that nearly 50 percent of the filming was completed by early 2026. The most demanding portion so far has been the Ramayana episode featured in the film, and the project will need extensive VFX work in post-production. The film is set for a worldwide theatrical release on April 7, 2027, in multiple languages, including a global rollout across India, the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, and other international markets.
Social Media Reactions to the Casting
Prakash Raj’s casting as a Shiva devotee has received mixed reactions online. Some users on X criticised the decision. One comment read, “That’s what we call wrong casting. A person who hates Hindu dharma is playing a part in a movie like Varanasi. Shame on the director.” Others felt there were many actors who could have been chosen instead.
A section of users has also demanded that filmmakers stop casting Prakash Raj in big projects altogether. Posts specifically mention films like Varanasi, Spirit, and Dragon, arguing that his presence could create unnecessary negativity around these films. The debate has continued across several months, with the same calls resurfacing whenever Prakash Raj makes a public statement.
Wife Pony Verma on Work Loss and Political Views
The conversation around Prakash Raj’s career also involves the personal cost of his outspoken nature. His wife, choreographer Pony Verma, spoke about this in October 2026. She said the actor lost several film opportunities and advertising assignments because of his political positions.
“We all know Prakash is a fearless man. He was banned in Telugu multiple times. He stands his ground. He will believe in certain things and do it with 100% conviction. Several films, people have simply backed off after paying advance. I know how much his work got affected in the industry. The way the ads went off, films were taken away from him. He has suffered immensely in his profession. But he says, my conscience says what is happening is wrong, so I should not accept this.”
Pony Verma also recalled how the murder of journalist Gauri Lankesh in 2017 affected Prakash Raj. She said he was “devastated completely and broken” and decided not to remain silent after the incident.
Fresh Boycott Calls After Ramayana Remarks
The boycott calls against Varanasi grew louder in April 2026 after Prakash Raj made comments about the Ramayana during a public event. Critics called the remarks offensive and accused him of stoking division. Some users pushed for boycotts of his movies, including Drishyam 3, and tagged officials on social media demanding action.
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Prakash Raj responded to the controversy, but the calls for his removal from upcoming projects continued. The actor has consistently maintained that his personal views should not be used to judge films that involve hundreds of people and large investments. On the Point Blank show, he argued that targeting a whole film because of one actor’s political opinions is not the right approach.
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