Actor Vijay Deverakonda has voiced his strong disapproval of "shocking politics" and targeted negative campaigns currently plaguing the Telugu film industry. His comments come in the wake of a landmark court order that has restricted reviews and ratings for Megastar Chiranjeevi’s upcoming film, Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu (MSVPG), on major ticketing platforms.
“Happy and Sad”
Taking to his X (formerly Twitter) handle on Sunday, Deverakonda expressed a mix of relief and disappointment regarding the current state of cinema.
"Happy and Sad to see this," the actor wrote. "Happy to know hard work, dreams, and money of many is protected in a way. And Sad because of the reality of our own people causing these problems. What happened to live and let live? and growing together?"
The actor's post was a direct reaction to the news that a ticketing platform had suspended its review and rating features for Anil Ravipudi’s directorial MSVPG ahead of its January 12 Sankranti release. The move follows a court intervention aimed at preventing malicious "organized attacks" that often tank a film's reputation before it even has a chance to reach its audience.
A Long-Standing Battle
Deverakonda revealed that he has been a victim of such tactics for years, dating back to his 2019 film Dear Comrade.
"Since the days of Dear Comrade, I first began to see the shocking politics of organized attacks," he shared. "My voice all these years fell on deaf ears—I was told nobody can stop a good film. And every producer and director who then make a film with me soon realizes the scale of the issue."
The actor admitted to staying up many nights wondering how to deal with these "targeted" campaigns to protect his dreams and the dreams of those coming after him. He noted that while a court order doesn't solve the problem entirely, the fact that the legal system now recognizes the threat—even for a powerhouse star like Megastar Chiranjeevi—is a significant step forward.
Industry in Flux
The debate over "fake reviews" and "negative trending" has intensified recently in Tollywood. Producers have long complained that coordinated efforts on social media to spread negative word-of-mouth are harming the industry's financial health.
Deverakonda’s outspoken stance has garnered significant attention, highlighting the "unhealthy atmosphere" of modern film promotion where some individuals aim to see a project fail rather than celebrate the art.
Despite the controversy, the actor concluded his message on a positive note, wishing great success to Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu and all other upcoming Sankranti releases.
What's Next for Vijay?
While standing up for the industry, Deverakonda remains busy with his own high-profile projects. Fans are eagerly awaiting his upcoming action drama Rowdy Janardhana, scheduled for a late 2026 release, and his highly anticipated collaboration with director Rahul Sankrityan, tentatively titled VD14.
Chiranjeevi’s Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu is set to premiere tonight, January 11, amidst high expectations and this newfound digital protection.
