Director Phanindra Narsetti has sparked a heated debate across social media platforms with his controversial comments on commercial cinema. The remarks came during the pre-release event of his romantic drama 8 Vasanthalu and have since gone viral among cinephiles and film lovers alike.
Responding to questions about why he avoids commercial formats, Narsetti said,
“It’s not that I can’t make commercial films. I just don’t feel like making them.”
He added that while he understands the mechanics of crowd-pleasing blockbusters, his heart lies in poetic storytelling and nuanced emotions.
“If I keep my pen aside and stop considering elements like poetry and love for 10 minutes, I can create rampage. A glimpse of that can be seen in the Varanasi fight sequence in 8 Vasanthalu.”
Phanindra further defended his artistic leanings by referencing the power of poetry in healing, even citing World War II soldiers who found solace through verse. However, his comments were seen by many as dismissive of mainstream commercial cinema, prompting strong reactions online.
Fans and industry watchers were quick to respond. Some felt the director was looking down on the genre that has sustained theaters for decades.
“Commercial films are keeping theatres alive,” one comment read, while others pointed out that creating a box office hit requires a deep understanding of audience preferences and market trends.
Several users urged Narsetti to celebrate artistic cinema without devaluing commercial formats, emphasizing that both have their place in modern filmmaking.
Despite the backlash, the controversy has fueled interest in 8 Vasanthalu, which stars Ananthika Sanilkumar and Ravi Duggirala in lead roles. The film is all set for theatrical release this week, and all eyes are now on how it performs at the box office.
