Mahesh Aagadu satire: Srinu Vaitla hits back

Looks like the war of words between Prakash Raj and Sreenu Vaitla is escalating to new heights. A day after Prakash Raj came down heavily on the filmmaker; it was the turn of Vaitla to hit back. Stating that the actor’s antics led him to be replaced in ‘Aagadu’, he said, “The entire ‘Aagadu’ unit is a spectator to the foul language that Prakash Raj garu used against an assistant director. As the matter was with the film chamber, he held a press interaction, in violation of the rules. He learned Telugu, penned a poem and dedicated it to me at the press brief. Since he dedicated it to me, I thought why not I use it in the film?”

He continued, “He should be ashamed in the first place? When a film (Aagadu) is running in theatres, how can he speak in a negative tone about it? Distributors are bound to incur losses with such acts.”

Reacting sharply to Prakash’s remarks that arrogance will not work in the industry, he said, “I couldn’t but stop laughing at this statement of his; it has come from a man who has been involved in controversies all through his professional life. I’m where I’m because of my hard work, not arrogance.”

Vaitla also said that he has not reached a point where he needs to learn filmmaking from him. “I don’t need to learn filmmaking from him. If someone uses a public platform and maligns a film, I don’t think he is one among the industry,” he stated. When asked why they can’t settle their differences among themselves instead of going public, Vaitla said, “It was he who held a press brief, following it up with an other one.”

Straight away after Vaitla issued a clarification, Prakash Raj took to Twitter and tweeted: “Kondaru mararu, ‘thaati chettu kinda doriki poina vadni em chestunnav Ani adigithe paalu thaaguthunna ani chepyadanta’ (sic)”; translation - some people never change. Even if one is caught red handed under a toddy tree, it seems he has said that he’s drinking milk.

Meanwhile, the Director’s Association too, took sharp objections to what Prakash Raj said on Saturday. Veera Shankar, the body’s president said, “The issue was resolved as soon as Prakash apologised to the assistant director. He indirectly mentioned that Vaitla was using the body to ban him but never have we made such a move.” The association also hoped that the matter would end hereby.