The Raja Saab director Maruthi has issued a heartfelt apology to Jr NTR fans after his comments at the film’s Rebel Saab song launch event triggered backlash online.
At the Hyderabad event on Sunday, Prabhas was absent, but his fans packed Vimal 70MM Theatre to witness the launch.
During his speech, Maruthi made remarks that many Jr NTR fans interpreted as an indirect dig, sparking criticism on X.
Realising the outrage, Maruthi posted a clarification, writing: “I sincerely apologise to every fan. It was never my intention to hurt or disrespect anyone. Sometimes, in the flow of words, things come out differently from what we truly mean.”
He added that he holds immense respect for Jr NTR and his fans, acknowledging their passion for cinema and assuring that his words were misunderstood, not meant as a comparison.
The event itself saw fans waiting over two hours before the song was finally screened. Rebel Saab features music by Thaman, with vocals by Sanjith Hegde and Blaaze in Telugu and versions in Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam and Kannada also released.
The Raja Saab, directed by Maruthi and produced by People Media Factory and IVY Entertainment, is set for a theatrical release on January 9.
