New Delhi: Grandnephew of freedom fighter Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Chandra Kumar Bose, has urged the makers of Prabhas’ upcoming film Fauzi to take
down its teaser, alleging that it distorts historical facts.
The controversy follows the release of a promotional video featuring a dramatised conversation between Netaji and Adolf Hitler, in which the freedom fighter introduces Prabhas’ fictional character as an Indian superspy.
Chandra Kumar Bose urges to take down Fauzi teaser
Chandra Kumar Bose expressed his objection in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on October 26, responding to a post by political leader Suparno Satpathy, who had also raised concerns about mixing fiction with history. Calling for the teaser to be withdrawn and replaced, Bose wrote, “Mixing fiction with history is a crime.” He also urged director Hanu Raghavapudi and his team to ensure that the film does not distort historical events, adding that he hoped Prabhas would take note of the issue.
Dear @hanurpudi Garu, describing in one word this teaser is ‘goosebumps’ … Mixing fiction with history isn’t a good idea … Nevertheless, best wishes are for the release on 19 Mar ‘2027
Netaji Zindabad !! Jai Hind !! … SS https://t.co/SJVML1jkze
— Shri. Suparno Satpathy (@SuparnoSatpathy) October 25, 2026
Why is the Fauzi teaser facing criticism?
Released on October 23, coinciding with Prabhas’ 47th birthday, the teaser, titled File No 25, is set in Berlin in 1942. It depicts a meeting between Netaji and Hitler against the backdrop of World War II.
In the video, Hitler makes a remark suggesting that Indians are accustomed to servitude. Netaji responds by describing an Indian superspy who supposedly helped Japan defeat British forces in Singapore. He also refers to a secret code inspired by the Bhagavad Gita, developed by the spy, who is stationed in Calcutta.
The sequence ends with Prabhas appearing in a rugged avatar, smoking a cigarette before firing a heavy gun at an unseen target.
View this post on Instagram
According to The Indian Express, Chandra Kumar Bose has also called for director Hanu Raghavapudi to issue a public apology. Speaking to IANS, he argued that filmmakers can portray the freedom struggle on screen but should not compromise historical accuracy when depicting national figures.
While Chandra Kumar did not respond to Prabhas fans’ claims that Fauzi was a fictional film, and therefore it was okay for Bose to hype their favourite star, Satpathy did. Responding to an X page that questioned why those close to the historical characters portrayed were taking offence, he responded, “Dear Editor (s) @TheAakashavaani, when a movie is made it impacts generations. Netaji ‘s endorsement of a fictional character is depicting History in a distorted manner. Your’s truly hopes for @hanurpudi Garu to realise the sensitivity …Netaji Zindabad !! Jai Hind !! … SS.”
Dear Editor (s) @TheAakashavaani , when a movie is made it impacts generations. Netaji ‘s endorsement of a fictional character is depicting History in a distorted manner. Your’s truly hopes for @hanurpudi Garu to realise the sensitivity …
Netaji Zindabad !! Jai Hind !! … SS
— Shri. Suparno Satpathy (@SuparnoSatpathy) October 26, 2026
The criticism centres on the way a real historical figure is shown praising and introducing a fictional character. While the meeting between Netaji and Hitler in 1942 is historically documented, the dialogue and the superspy narrative shown in the teaser are dramatised elements of the film.
What did Chandra Kumar Bose say about Netaji’s meeting with Hitler?
Chandra Kumar Bose has argued that Netaji approached Hitler with a strategic understanding of the international situation during World War II, seeking support for India’s independence movement. He has also emphasised that Netaji opposed fascism and believed in democracy and the democratic rights of people.
The controversy has also prompted discussion on social media, with some viewers questioning the use of Netaji’s image and historical standing to build up Prabhas’ fictional character. Others have defended the creative freedom associated with historical fiction.
Directed by Hanu Raghavapudi, Fauzi is produced by Mythri Movie Makers and presented by T-Series Films. The period action drama is scheduled to release in theatres on March 19, 2027. As of October 27, the reported objections have centred on the teaser’s portrayal of historical events.
Written By Uditi Sharma!
