A fresh controversy has emerged in the Indian film industry following the release of the teaser of Prabhas’ upcoming period action film Fauzi. Chandra Kumar Bose, grandnephew of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and a socio-political activist, has strongly criticised the film’s portrayal of the legendary freedom fighter, demanding a public apology from its director.
The controversy began after the film’s teaser, titled File No. 25, was released on October 23, 2026, coinciding with actor Prabhas’ 47th birthday. The promotional video features a dramatised sequence set in Berlin in 1942, depicting an interaction between Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and German dictator Adolf Hitler.
In the sequence, Netaji is shown discussing an Indian soldier and intelligence operative, portrayed by Prabhas, who supposedly played a significant role in challenging British rule. The fictional character is introduced through a conversation involving historical personalities, which has triggered criticism over the blending of historical events with cinematic fiction.
Objecting to the portrayal, Chandra Kumar Bose argued that filmmakers should exercise caution when depicting prominent figures associated with India's freedom struggle. He maintained that creative freedom should not come at the cost of altering historical facts or diminishing the contribution of national icons.
Speaking to IANS, Bose reportedly stated that distorting historical facts while dealing with national icons was unacceptable. He also questioned the way the film represents Netaji’s meeting with Hitler, emphasising that the freedom fighter approached the German leader to seek international support for India's independence movement.
According to Bose, Netaji maintained his independent position and opposed fascism while pursuing the larger objective of liberating India from British rule. He argued that the historical meeting should not be presented in a manner that creates a misleading impression about Netaji’s stature or political beliefs.
He also called upon director Hanu Raghavapudi to acknowledge the concerns and issue an apology to the people of India and those who respect the country's freedom movement.
The objections did not remain limited to public criticism. Chandra Kumar Bose subsequently wrote to Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, seeking an investigation into the controversial promotional content.
In his communication, he questioned how the teaser received clearance from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). He also urged the authorities to examine the matter, withdraw the existing teaser and take appropriate action against those responsible for approving the content.
Bose further called for the teaser to be corrected before being released again, maintaining that historical personalities should be portrayed with dignity and accuracy.
Despite his strong objections, Chandra Kumar Bose clarified that his criticism was directed towards the alleged historical misrepresentation rather than the actor himself. He also expressed his best wishes to Prabhas and the film's team, provided that the concerns surrounding Netaji's portrayal are addressed.
Directed by Hanu Raghavapudi, Fauzi is produced by Mythri Movie Makers and presented by T-Series Films. The film also features a period-action narrative set against the backdrop of India's struggle for independence.
The film is scheduled for a theatrical release on March 19, 2027.
As the controversy continues to attract attention, the debate surrounding historical accuracy, cinematic freedom and the representation of national icons has gained renewed significance. The filmmakers have yet to issue an official response to the objections raised by Chandra Kumar Bose, according to reports published on October 28, 2026.
