The Fauzi controversy has erupted before the film even reaches theatres. Chandra Kumar Bose, the grandnephew of freedom fighter Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, has demanded an apology from director Hanu Raghavapudi. He says the Prabhas starrer distorts historical facts about Netaji’s meeting with Adolf Hitler.
The row began on October 23, 2026, when the makers released a teaser on Prabhas’ birthday. In one scene, Netaji meets Hitler in Berlin and talks about Prabhas’ fictional character. That character is an Indian operative who fights British rule.
Some viewers have criticised the scene. They argue that it uses Netaji to build up the film’s hero. As a result, they say, it reduces the stature of a real national icon. Others have defended the film as fiction.
Chandra Kumar Bose accepts that filmmakers can tell stories about the freedom struggle. However, he says creative freedom must not come at the cost of accuracy. He described the distortion of facts about national icons as a serious matter. Therefore, he wants an apology to the people of India and to everyone who respects the freedom movement.
He also explained why Netaji met Hitler. According to Bose, Netaji sought German support against British rule. This was not an endorsement of fascism, he said. Netaji opposed fascism and believed in democracy. In addition, Bose argued that Netaji dealt with Hitler as an equal, not as a subordinate.
The central question is whether the film presents the meeting in its proper context. Alternatively, it may change the meaning for dramatic effect. Fauzi is a fictional story set against the freedom struggle. Even so, its use of real leaders has raised questions about how such figures should appear on screen.
The makers had not responded publicly at the time of the latest reports. Fauzi stars Prabhas and is written and directed by Hanu Raghavapudi. It is scheduled to release in theatres on March 19, 2027.
