Fauzi row: Netaji's grandnephew writes to I&B Minister, demands teaser ban

Socio-political activist Chandra Kumar Bose, the grandnephew of Indian freedom fighter, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, has written to Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw demanding strict action against the makers of Prabhas’ upcoming film Fauzi for allegedly distorting history. Objecting to what he termed a "trivialisation of Netaji," Bose requested the ministry to pull down the film’s newly released teaser and penalise members of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) who cleared the promotional clip.Sharing a copy of his official representation on X, the former West Bengal BJP vice-president expressed strong displeasure over the teaser's release on October 23 — which marked Netaji's associate Bhagabati Charan Panigrahi’s 83rd Balidan Diwas as well as Prabhas’ 47th birthday. The primary point of contention stems from a fictional sequence depicting Netaji, the Supreme Commander of the Indian National Army, meeting Adolf Hitler in 1942 Berlin to introduce a fictional protagonist played by Prabhas."We take strong offence to this trivialisation of Netaji. We also fail to understand as to how could the Censor Board clear such an objectionable content (sic)," Bose wrote in his letter to the Union Minister.Seeking an immediate probe into the matter, he added, "You are requested to kindly look into this very serious concern and get it investigated. It shall be the right service to the nation if you make sure that this teaser is pulled down and the responsible ones at the Censor Board are punished in an exemplary manner (sic)." Tagging Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his public appeal, Bose urged director Hanu Raghavapudi to understand the "seriousness" of the issue, maintaining that while he holds no malice against the cast, historical integrity must take precedence.The teaser of Fauzi ought to be pulled down, corrected and released again. Should our concern regarding Netaji be resolved (for the teaser as well as for the Movie), my best wishes go out for #Prabhas and the entire team @FauziTheMovie . Hope @hanurpudi realises the seriousness @narendramodi @AshwiniVaishnaw @SuparnoSatpathy— Chandra Kumar Bose (@Chandrakbose) October 27, 2026"The teaser of Fauzi ought to be pulled down, corrected and released again. Should our concern regarding Netaji be resolved (for the teaser as well as for the Movie), my best wishes go out for #Prabhas and the entire team (sic)," Bose said. Titled File No 25, the teaser sets its narrative backdrop in 1942 Berlin, opening with an imagined exchange where Subhas Chandra Bose approaches Hitler for support against British rule. In response to Hitler's assertion that Indians are accustomed to foreign rule, the clip shows Netaji describing an Indian superspy who assisted Japan in Singapore and devised a secret code inspired by the Bhagavad Gita. The footage concludes with a dishevelled Prabhas wielding heavy artillery in Calcutta.The production team — led by director Hanu Raghavapudi and producers Mythri Movie Makers alongside T-Series Films— has yet to issue an official response regarding the backlash.Jointly produced by Naveen Yerneni, Y. Ravi Shankar, and Bhushan Kumar, the period action drama is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on March 19, 2027.- Ends