Actor Teja Sajja has found himself at the centre of controversy after a casual remark upset Mahesh Babu fans. While promoting his upcoming film Mirai, the young Tollywood star referred to the highly anticipated Rajamouli–Mahesh Babu collaboration as “SSRMB”. This single comment has stirred heated debate online, with fans expressing their anger across social media platforms.
Supporters of Mahesh Babu argue that the project should only be known as “SSMB29”, the label used by both the filmmakers and the star’s team from the beginning. For them, the title highlights Mahesh Babu’s dominant star power, while “SSRMB” appears to give first priority to director S.S. Rajamouli. Many felt Teja’s choice of words unintentionally downplayed Mahesh Babu’s importance in the film.
Although “SSRMB” clearly combines Rajamouli (SSR) and Mahesh Babu (MB), fans were not convinced. They believe public figures, especially actors, should be cautious when making such references, as small slips can easily hurt the sentiments of passionate fan groups.
This is not the first time Teja has clashed with Mahesh Babu’s supporters. During Sankranti 2024, his film HanuMan went head-to-head with Mahesh Babu’s Guntur Kaaram at the box office. That rivalry created strong fan debates, and now netizens say Teja’s latest remark has reignited the tension.
Reactions remain mixed. Some people believe the term “SSRMB” will have no impact on the film or its buzz, arguing that it is simply a harmless abbreviation. Others insist that actors should respect existing titles and fan sentiments, reminding stars that such issues are often sensitive in Telugu cinema.
Meanwhile, the controversy has ironically added more spotlight to Teja’s Mirai. The trailer and songs have already built excitement, and now the online chatter has made the film an even hotter topic. Still, alongside the hype, a degree of negativity has also surfaced, leaving observers wondering how Teja will address the matter.
With Mirai nearing release, all eyes are on how the young actor responds. Whether he clears the air or chooses to remain silent, Teja Sajja will be hoping that attention soon shifts back to his film rather than the row over a single phrase.