Film producer Suryadevara Naga Vamsi’s recent comments about actor Vijay Deverakonda have upset fans of Pawan Kalyan.
The issue began at a press meet held on the release day of Kingdom, a Telugu action drama starring Vijay Deverakonda. Directed by Gautham Tinnanuri and produced by Naga Vamsi, the film is performing well at the box office and receiving positive reviews.
Before the release, the film team met Pawan Kalyan as part of their promotions. Photos from that meeting quickly went viral on social media, exciting fans of both stars.
However, during the press meet, Naga Vamsi was asked whether Pawan Kalyan would be invited again for future success events. In response, producer Naga Vamsi pointed to Vijay Deverakonda and said, “This is our Pawan Kalyan.”
The comment sparked criticism online, with many Pawan Kalyan fans feeling that it was disrespectful. They accused Naga Vamsi of comparing the two actors unfairly and “downgrading” Pawan’s status. Social media platforms were filled with angry reactions.
In a recent interview, Naga Vamsi addressed the controversy. He said he was shocked by the backlash and explained that his words were misunderstood.
“I didn’t mean to insult Pawan Kalyan at all,” he said. “In the film industry, we often make comparisons—like saying someone is handsome like Hrithik Roshan. In Telugu cinema, when people say ‘hero’, they think of Pawan Kalyan.”
He clarified that he only meant Vijay is the star of Kingdom, just as Pawan is a symbol of heroism in Tollywood. “I was praising Vijay, not putting Pawan down,” he added.
While some fans accepted his explanation and said it was clearly a compliment, others remain unhappy. The incident has led to a split in fan opinion online, showing how sensitive such comments can be in the film world.
