Director Tharun Bhascker Dhaassyam is facing the ire of several Jr NTR fans, after he made a remark about the actor in a recent interview.
According to reports, many people have been hurling abuses at the director on social media ever since a video of the interview surfaced.
In the interview with NTV, uploaded on May 3, the interviewer asks the director about his earlier comment that he had made on the IIFA Utsavam awards.
On March 30, Bhascker had taken to Facebook, to criticise the jury of the award ceremony, for not rewarding any small films, and depending only on box office numbers.
"I was disappointed to realise that these shows only exist for TV and are merely only making money...We still look at pleasing the hierarchy, afraid to pat a small film's back and continue to glorify pure stardom. Why will I be interested to make a sync sound film with a story that makes sense anymore? What's the point of trying to experiment as a filmmaker in this language if experiments are least regarded even though it breaks a box office," he had posted.
When asked about it in his latest interview, he said, "I think it was being I was new in the industry and I had some expectations. I was innocent, naive and didn't understand how the industry works. I realised later that awards have to do certain things."
The interviewer then asked him about the response to his Facebook post, to which Bhascker says, "I received a few calls and people consoled me. You're just aggressive because you're young."
At this point, he made a statement that offended NTR fans, when he said that the people who called him also said, "There is a commercial aspect. People will not watch you, but will obviously watch Jr NTR only. If we give you (the award), you will come, but TRP won't be there. If Jr NTR and others come, they will add value."
Jr NTR's Janatha Garage had bagged several awards at the show.
However, in the same video, he clarifies that it’s not just about adding value, but that the films of the actors are much bigger in scale, plus they are seniors in the industry.
"So it makes sense to recognise them for that quality. They have not done it to discourage you. They also included you. That time, I realised," he concludes.
Watch the video here.
However, the director said that a portion of that clip was being circulated on social media, to make it appear like he had spoken against Jr NTR.
Taking to Facebook on Thursday, Bhascker clarified that he meant it in a 'humorous manner', and said that he should have been more careful.
"I’m aware it has hurt his fans all over and I’m extremely apologetic about it. My father, uncles have worked with Senior NTR Garu very closely during his regime & have been followers of his values ever since. There’s no hiding the fact that I too have grown up watching his films. I have huge respect for him and his recent work in Janata Garage as well. In fact, he was one of the first persons to openly give a positive statement about our film - Pellichoopulu," the director said.
"I hope to one day work with Jr NTR Garu once I’ve reached that level and I honestly don’t want anything to ruin that opportunity. Please forgive me for any hasty actions or comments of mine & wish me luck for my future endeavours," he added.
Talking about the hate messages that he received, Bhascker also said, "I'm going to give an apology in front of the media for sure...at this time my family is watching and it's really hard for us to see all these comments. I'm sorry if I have offended anyone, it was never my intention. Kindly let it go."