Dance sequence in PK’s BRO creates political storm; Minister Rambabu takes 'MRO' jibe

Amaravati: A dance sequence in Pawan Kalyan’s Telugu film “BRO” (Brother) has created a political storm in Andhra Pradesh.

A war of words has erupted between YSRCP Water Resources Minister Ambati Rambabu and actor, comedian, and Jana Sena leader Prudhvi Raj for the character `Shyam Babu’ and the dance sequence.

The film triggered a battle between the ruling YSRCP and Jana Sena and it is likely to spill over the ensuing elections.

Ambati furious

Ambati Rambabu took strong exception to the dance sequence in the film. He alleged that it was an imitation of his dance during the Sankranti festival and filmmakers were trying to belittle him.

Prudhvi Raj, who quit YSRCP and joined Jana Sena, denied the charge. He said neither the dance sequence nor the dress he wore in the film was a copy of Ambati Rambabu or his public dance during the Sankranti festival.

Prudhvi Raj denies

“Some say I have imitated Ambati Rambabu. Who is he? I don’t know him and I don’t have to imitate him. I was given the role of a wayward man who goes to clubs and runs around girls. There is no need for me, my team, and Jana Sena chief to imitate him. He is not an Oscar-winning actor. He might be feeling I imitated his dance steps, but I don’t think so. His dance is better than mine.”

He added, “He called Pawan Kalyan, Jogi Ramesh `mad dog’. Is it not insulting them? But I didn’t belittle anyone. I did not have anyone in mind nor did I imitate anyone, least the Minister,” Prudhvi Raj told media.

Dance sequences go viral

Actor Prudhvi Raj and Shyam Babu's dance sequence in the film has gone viral. Minister Rambabu's dance sequence during the Sankranti Festival too is breaking the internet.

Prudhvi’s dress also matches Rambabu’s in the dance, which leads to surmise that the reel dance is the imitation of the real-life dance of the Minister.

Ambati Rambabu warns filmmakers

Ambati Rambabu is upset over the imitation of his dance in the film. He warned filmmakers they would have to face the music for trying to needle him unnecessarily.

“They are trying to needle me. I will show them their place. Denial won’t do. I will also make films on Pawan Kalyan and his multiple wives. I am looking for a suitable title. The story is getting ready. The star cast is in the process,” he disclosed.

Ambati readies film titles on Pawan Kalyan

The Minister said he has friends too in the Telugu Film industry and they are helping him out in the making of films on Pawan Kalyan and looking for suitable titles.

He displayed some titles like Nitya Pelli Koduku, Pellilu Petakulu, Tali Egatali, Mudu mudlu Aru Pellililu, Bahu Bharya Praveenudu, MRO (Marriages Relations Offender) on the lines of BRO and Ayana Pellilu Enno, Poyna Cheppulu Enno!

“There are some more titles under scrutiny. You (the media) can also suggest some titles. We will consider it. We will accept suggestions in the story so that the film doesn’t utter flop like BRO. Ours will be a great message-oriented film. The film will be released soon since elections are coming. The moral of the story is you cannot achieve success in a film by needling someone,“ he cautioned.

Let them make political satires

He added, “Let them make total political satires. Why Shyam Babu, they can have Rambabu. Its people to decide. They say my dance did not sync with the music. I am not a dance master. People should think it over. Through you, I tell Film producers, makers, Directors, and screenplay writers like Trivikrama. If they do it again, they have to pay a heavy price.

Accuses Tax Evasion

The Minister further alleged that funds were diverted from the United States to pay Pawan Kalyan as remuneration for `Bro’.

“I am going to New Delhi on important work. I will let you know details later,” he issued a veiled threat to Pawan Kalyan team indicating he might lodge a complaint with Central agencies on alleged Tax evasion.

He also accused Bro Film producer Viswa Prasad and a TD supporter cum owner of IT companies in the United States of providing finances to Jana Sena chief.

Film producer denies charges

Viswa Prasad denied the charge and also refused to divulge the cost of the film, remuneration to actor Pawan Kalyan, source of funds, etc. Prasad said he would disclose it to appropriate authorities and need not go public on the issue.

Ambati Rambabu also wanted to know the Income Tax paid by an actor who is alleged to have charged Rs 2 crore per day for the film `Bro’.

BRO film cast

BRO (meaning brother), the Telugu supernatural fantasy comedy film directed by Samuthirakani and Screen play by Trivikram Srinivas is based on the 2021 Tamil film Vinodhaya Sitham. Bro stars Pawan Kalyan, nephew Sai Dharam Teja, Ketika Sharma, Priya Prakash Varrier, Brahmanandam, Tanikella Bharani, Subbaraju, Rohini, etc with Urvashi Rautela in a special appearance.

Film is a flop: Ambati

Ambati Rambabu went to the extent of calling the film a big flop. He tweeted in Telugu, ”Producer ki collection nil! Package star ki packet full! (Collection zero for the producer, but packet full for package star (Pawan Kalyan).”

In another tweet, he quipped,” Gelichinodi dance Sankranti! Odinodi dance kalaratri! ” (Winners dance is Sankranti and losers Kalaratri)

Chappals show in the past

This is not the first time there has been a war of words in Andhra politics.

Last year, Pawan Kalyan, bugged by YSRCP leaders calling him package star, displayed his slipper at a party meeting and warned “YCP goondas” that he would hit them with the slipper till their faces get swollen!

“Call me a package star again I will break your teeth and hit you with my slippers until it is torn and your faces swollen. I showed mercy and tolerated enough. You (YSRCP) have criminals, rowdies, and goondas with you. I don’t care. I will crush them with my bare hands,” he warned.

Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy too strongly reacted to the abusive language used by the film actor, and without naming him said he was the “adopted son of Nara Chandrababu Naidu, TD supremo. He also took a dig at the Film star’s three marriages.

Taking exception to Pawan Kalyan’s outburst, former YSRCP Minister Perni Nani went a step further and showed two slippers at a press conference.

“Pawan Kalyan is showing his slipper. I will show you two pairs of slippers. Beware! Pawan, you will be crushed. Don’t indulge in film dialogues and chatter. We can do the same,” he warned.