28 October 2026 (Navroze Bureau) The teaser of Prabhas’ upcoming period action film Fauzi has sparked controversy after Chandra Kumar Bose, grandnephew of freedom fighter Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, wrote to Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw demanding strict action over what he described as the “trivialisation of Netaji”.
Chandra Kumar Bose, a socio-political activist and former West Bengal BJP vice-president, has urged the ministry to investigate the teaser and ensure that it is withdrawn, corrected and released again. He has also questioned how the promotional video received clearance from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).
The controversy centres on the teaser’s depiction of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose interacting with Adolf Hitler in Berlin in 1942 and introducing a fictional character played by Prabhas.
Chandra Kumar Bose Objects to Netaji’s Portrayal
Chandra Kumar Bose shared a copy of his letter to the I&B minister on social media on October 27, expressing strong objections to the teaser’s presentation of the historical leader.
In his letter, Bose said the video trivialised Netaji’s contribution and raised concerns about the use of a real historical figure to introduce a fictional character. He called on the ministry to examine the matter and take appropriate action.
“We take strong offence to this trivialisation of Netaji,” Bose wrote in his letter, questioning how the CBFC could clear the content.
He requested the minister to arrange an investigation and urged the authorities to withdraw the teaser and take action against those responsible for its clearance.
Bose also tagged Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his public appeal and called on the film’s director, Hanu Raghavapudi, to recognise the seriousness of the concerns.
While criticising the promotional material, Bose said he wished Prabhas and the film’s team well if the concerns surrounding Netaji’s portrayal were addressed.
What Does the Fauzi Teaser Show?
Titled File No. 25, the teaser was released on October 23, 2026, coinciding with Prabhas’ 47th birthday.
The video is set in Berlin in 1942 and depicts a dramatised conversation between Subhas Chandra Bose and Adolf Hitler. In the sequence, Bose approaches Hitler while seeking support for India’s struggle against British rule.
The teaser then introduces a fictional Indian spy and soldier, played by Prabhas. Bose describes the character’s role in helping Japan defeat British forces in Singapore and refers to a secret code inspired by the Bhagavad Gita.
The clip ends with Prabhas appearing in a rugged look, holding a large firearm and firing at an unidentified target.
The scene has drawn criticism because it uses a historical meeting involving Netaji to establish the background and importance of a fictional character. Critics have questioned whether this creative approach risks confusing historical events with invented elements.
The filmmakers have not issued an official response to the latest demand, according to reports published on October 28.
Why Has the Historical Context Become a Point of Debate?
Subhas Chandra Bose met Adolf Hitler in Berlin on May 29, 1942, during the Second World War. Bose sought German assistance for India’s independence from British rule, although the historical context and political implications of his dealings with Germany remain subjects of discussion among historians.
Chandra Kumar Bose has argued that filmmakers should exercise particular care when depicting national figures associated with India’s freedom struggle. His objection focuses on the use of a real historical personality in a fictional narrative to establish the achievements of a film’s protagonist.
The broader debate raises questions about how films balance creative storytelling with historical accuracy, especially when they portray figures whose lives and contributions hold significance for the public.
Historical dramas frequently combine documented events with fictional characters and imagined conversations. However, critics may object when creative additions appear to attribute invented actions or statements to real people.
In the case of Fauzi, the concern expressed by Netaji’s grandnephew is that the teaser’s fictional elements could alter viewers’ understanding of the freedom fighter’s historical role.
Prabhas’ Fauzi: Cast, Director and Release Date
Fauzi is directed by Hanu Raghavapudi and stars Prabhas in the lead role. The period action drama is produced by Mythri Movie Makers, with Naveen Yerneni and Y. Ravi Shankar among the producers. Bhushan Kumar is also associated with the project through T-Series Films.
The film is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on March 19, 2027.
The production has attracted attention because of Prabhas’ involvement and its setting during India’s struggle for independence. The teaser controversy has now brought additional scrutiny to the way the film presents historical personalities and fictional events.
As of October 28, 2026, Chandra Kumar Bose’s demand for the teaser to be withdrawn and corrected has added a new dimension to the film’s publicity. The next developments will depend on the response from the filmmakers and the relevant authorities.