Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma has come out in support of director SS Rajamouli, who is facing strong criticism for his recent comment about Lord Hanuman.
Rajamouli’s remark at the Varanasi Globe Trotter event sparked an uproar online, with several users accusing him of hurting religious sentiments.
The controversy began after a technical glitch disrupted the event, which was also attended by Priyanka Chopra, Mahesh Babu, and Prithviraj Sukumaran. Responding to the situation on stage, Rajamouli said, "I don't believe in God. My father mentioned that Hanuman would guide me. I got angry as soon as this (glitch) happened. Is this how He's helping me?"
His comment prompted immediate backlash across social media platforms.
Amid the growing criticism, Varma shared a long note on X defending Rajamouli.
He wrote that disbelief is not illegal and that “Article 25 of the Constitution protects the right to not believe.” He added, “In the context of all the venom being spewed by the so-called believers on @ssrajamouli, they should know that being an atheist in India is not a crime… So he has every right to say he doesn't believe—just as much as the venom-spewers' right to say they do believe.”
Varma dismissed the argument that an atheist should not portray gods in films. “Now, coming to the dumb argument that ‘if he doesn't believe in God, why does he show God in his movies?' By that logic, should a filmmaker become a gangster to make a gangster film or a ghost to make a horror film?”
He went further, writing, “And the gobsmacking truth? Despite him not believing in God, God gave @ssrajamouli 100 times more success, more wealth, and more fan worship than most believers will ever see even in a hundred lifetimes.” Varma said this could mean “God loves atheists more,” or “God doesn't care,” or “maybe… God isn't sitting with a notepad taking notes on who believes and who doesn't.” He added that Rajamouli’s critics were acting out of insecurity.
Varma argued that Rajamouli’s success has unsettled those who “miserably failed even after praying like mad.” He criticised people for feeling threatened, saying, “The believers should stop defending God because it's like insulting Him, as if He is a weakling needing their protection.” He wrote that Rajamouli’s atheism does not diminish God but exposes the insecurity of others.
He signed off with a sharp remark, saying, “So through #Varanasi, while God adds another huge fortune to @ssrajamouli's already overflowing bank balance, the losers can cry their hearts out with jealousy… Jai Hanuman.”
The backlash against Rajamouli has also escalated offline. On November 15, the Vanara Sena organisation filed a complaint in Hyderabad, accusing the director of hurting Hindu sentiments during the event for his upcoming film Varanasi.