Bollywood directors reacts to Naga Vamsi’s criticism: ‘Some people don’t know real Mumbai’

Bollywood filmmakers such as Hansal Mehta, Sanjay Gupta and Siddharth Anand responded to Telugu producer Naga Vamsi’s criticism during a roundtable, sparking controversy and debate

Bollywood filmmakers responded to Telugu producer Naga Vamsi’s criticism that the Hindi film industry hasn’t moved beyond Mumbai. Vamsi shared his opinion during a roundtable involving producers from across the industries.

In the roundtable on the Galatta Plus YouTube channel, Vamsi told veteran producer Boney Kapoor that south industries have changed the way “Bollywood looks at cinema.” “You guys (Bollywood), are stuck in making films for Bandra and Juhu. You witnessed a change with Baahubali, RRR, Animal and Jawan, he tells Boney Kapoor.

Vamsi’s opinion irked Bollywood directors, who took to X to express their displeasure. “Chill dude whoever you are. I live in Mumbai and I have been sleeping well,” wrote Hansal Mehta. The Scam 1992 director also accused him of borrowing the idea of the hit Hindi web series in Lucky Bhaskar, the Telugu hit bankrolled by Vamsi. “His latest hit as a producer Lucky Bhaskar has borrowed liberally from the Scam series,” he said.

Sanjay Gupta, the director of hits such as Kaante (2022) and Zinda (2006), condemned Vamsi for “disrespecting” Boney Kapoor. “Would he (Vamsi) have the guts to sit in front of senior producers like Allu Arvind sir or Suresh Babu sir and speak to them in this manner pointing his fingers in their face. Learn to value respect before success,” he wrote. “4/5 hits dene se yeh Bollywood ke baap nahin banenge (You can’t rule Bollywood by just giving 4-5 hits),” he added.

Fighter and Pathaan director Siddharth Anand took a jibe at Vamsi’s Mumbai remark. “Mumbai has been the city that never sleeps. It’s okay I guess some people don’t know our real Mumbai,” he said.

Vamsi, who owns Sithara Entertainments, hit back at the reactions. Replying to a Tweet, Vamshi said, “You don’t need to teach us how to respect elders. We respect Boney ji more than you guys do and there was no disrespect towards Boney ji in that conversation. It was a healthy discussion. Me and Boney ji had a nice laugh and hugged each other after the interview.”

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