Mumbai: The teaser of Prabhas’ upcoming period action thriller Fauzi has generated intense discussion online soon after its release. While many fans praised the actor’s powerful comeback, a section of viewers criticised the teaser, alleging that it portrays Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose in a disrespectful manner to elevate Prabhas’ fictional character. Several social media users also questioned the blending of historical figures with fictional storytelling.
Released on Friday to mark Prabhas’ 47th birthday, the teaser has been presented by the makers as “File Number 25”. It features Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose meeting German dictator Adolf Hitler during World War II, where Bose is shown speaking at length about Prabhas’ yet-to-be-revealed character. While fans appreciated the larger-than-life introduction, many viewers found the sequence unrealistic and insensitive to Bose’s historical legacy.
Story Set During India’s Freedom Movement
Fauzi is a period action thriller set in the 1930s and 1940s. Prabhas plays an Indian spy who assists the Indian National Army during the freedom struggle. In the teaser, Bose describes the spy’s extraordinary achievements and explains how he uses a personal code inspired by the Bhagavad Gita to outsmart the British.
Bose is also shown claiming that the spy’s “code machine” is superior to the Nazis’ Enigma machine. Impressed by the description, Hitler expresses curiosity about meeting the mysterious operative. The teaser later shows Prabhas preparing a heavy machine gun while delivering a dialogue declaring that he will not only spill the blood of the British Empire but also snatch freedom from their grip.
Mixed Response From Fans and Critics
Although Prabhas’ supporters celebrated his return to an action-packed role, several viewers expressed disappointment over the way his character was introduced.
One YouTube user claimed that Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose had been used merely to create a larger aura around Prabhas. Similar reactions appeared on Reddit, where users argued that a respected national hero had been used to promote a fictional commercial film character.
Viewers Call It an Insult to Bose’s Legacy
Many users described the teaser as disrespectful to Netaji Bose’s legacy. Some stated that they had been excited about the film earlier but had now decided to skip it after watching the promotional video.
Several comments suggested that combining historical personalities with fictional patriotic narratives weakened the authenticity of the story and created unnecessary controversy.
Comparisons With ‘Dhurandhar’
The teaser also drew comparisons with Dhurandhar. Some social media users felt that Fauzi was attempting a similar blend of patriotism and fictional storytelling but lacked the subtlety they associated with Dhurandhar. Others criticised the visual presentation, with one user commenting that Hitler’s hairstyle looked artificial.
Questions Raised Over Creative Decisions
Some viewers also questioned the film’s writing and direction. One social media user argued that military generals do not typically boast about spies in the manner shown in the teaser and wondered whether the creative approach lacked historical authenticity.
Release Date and Production Details
Fauzi is directed by Hanu Raghavapudi and produced by Mythri Movie Makers. The film is presented by T-Series Films, with Naveen Yerneni, Y. Ravi Shankar and Bhushan Kumar serving as producers. The period action thriller is scheduled to release in theatres on March 19, 2027.
