“There’s No Sympathy Left for Vijay Deverakonda,” Says Producer Naga Vamsi Amid Ongoing Backlash
Vijay Deverakonda, known for his bold persona both on and off screen, is once again at the center of controversy. But this time, producer Naga Vamsi has stepped in to defend the actor, calling the criticism “exaggerated” and “deliberate.”
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Gulte.com, Vamsi—who is producing Vijay’s upcoming film Kingdom under Sithara Entertainments and Fortune Four Cinemas—addressed the backlash surrounding Vijay’s recent public comments and the growing negativity online.
“I honestly don’t know why Vijay is being targeted,” said Vamsi. “His recent films didn’t work, and he’s already going through a rough patch… This seems deliberate.”
Controversy Over Retro Speech
Vijay faced intense criticism following remarks he made during the Retro audio launch, where he stated that some terrorists behave like tribal groups did 500 years ago, fighting without common sense. The comment sparked major backlash, resulting in a complaint under the SC/ST Act filed by tribal community representatives.
Despite publicly apologizing in May, the outrage hasn’t subsided.
“He’s Not Who You Think He Is.”
Vamsi believes the public perception of Vijay is unfair and disconnected from reality.
“He used to make bold statements when he was younger, I agree,” Vamsi said. “But now, he’s grounded and thoughtful. If you speak to him in person, you’ll see a different Vijay. Sadly, people aren’t ready to give him the benefit of the doubt.”
He added that media headlines distort his persona, creating a villain out of a misunderstood individual. “There’s no sympathy left for him,” Vamsi said candidly.
About Kingdom
Amidst the controversy, Vijay Deverakonda is preparing for the release of Kingdom, an action-packed drama directed by Gowtam Tinnanuri (Jersey, 2019). The film features Satyadev as Vijay’s on-screen brother and Bhagyashri Borse as the female lead. With music by Anirudh Ravichander, Kingdom is slated for a July 31, 2025, release, and a sequel is already in development.
