Producer Naga Vamsi has clarified his stance following allegations of being disrespectful towards veteran producer Boney Kapoor during a roundtable discussion about Indian cinema. The exchange, which revolved around the influence of South Indian cinema on Bollywood, sparked online criticism, with many accusing Vamsi of being rude.
The discussion took place during a roundtable hosted by Galatta India, where Vamsi and Kapoor shared their perspectives on South cinema’s impact. Addressing the criticism, Vamsi responded on X (formerly Twitter), asserting that his remarks were taken out of context. He emphasized that there was no disrespect and highlighted the cordial relationship he shares with Boney Kapoor.
“You don’t need to teach us how to respect elders,” Vamsi wrote. “We respect Boney Ji more than you guys do. There was no disrespect in that conversation. It was a healthy discussion, and Boney Ji and I had a nice laugh and hugged after the interview. Please don’t jump to conclusions based on what you saw.”
The Roundtable Exchange
During the discussion, Vamsi stated, “South Indian cinema has changed the way Bollywood looks at films. Bollywood was making movies for Bandra and Juhu, but the success of Baahubali, RRR, Animal, and Jawan has shifted the landscape.” Boney Kapoor, attempting to offer a differing view, was interrupted by Vamsi, a moment critics found disrespectful.
Filmmakers Hansal Mehta and Sanjay Gupta joined the fray, condemning Vamsi’s tone and conduct. Mehta even accused Vamsi’s recent film Lucky Bhaskar of being “borrowed” from his Scam series.
A Shared Legacy
Naga Vamsi, known for producing films like Jersey, Bheemla Nayak, and Rang De, is currently gearing up for the release of Daaku Maharaaj on January 12. Boney Kapoor, with classics like Mr. India and Judaai under his belt, recently produced Maidaan.
The controversy has brought attention to the evolving dynamics between South Indian cinema and Bollywood, highlighting both collaboration and contention in India’s entertainment industry.
