'Comparing Netaji With Hitler Is Not Right': Samajwadi Party MP On Prabhas’ 'Fauzi' Teaser Row

News india 'Comparing Netaji With Hitler Is Not Right': Samajwadi Party MP On Prabhas’ 'Fauzi' Teaser Row

Last Updated:October 26, 2026, 08:24 IST

SP MP Awadhesh Prasad criticises the alleged portrayal of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose in Prabhas’ Fauzi teaser. Netaji’s grandnephew also seeks an apology.

Samajwadi Party MP Awadhesh Prasad has criticised the alleged portrayal of freedom fighter Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose in the teaser of Prabhas’ upcoming film Fauzi, saying that comparing the iconic leader with Adolf Hitler or other infamous figures was neither appropriate nor in the national interest.

Reacting to the controversy in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, Prasad said, “Spreading such an ideology about Netaji’s image is anti-national. Everyone knows the kind of leader Netaji was regarded as across the world and the respect he commanded."

“Comparing him to Hitler or people associated with infamy is not right and is neither in the interest of the country nor the nation," he said.

The controversy erupted after the film’s teaser allegedly depicted Bose introducing the protagonist, played by Prabhas, to Hitler.

The portrayal has drawn criticism over concerns that it could elevate the fictional character’s stature while diminishing the historical significance of Netaji.

NETAJI’S GRANDNEPHEW SEEKS APOLOGY

Chandra Kumar Bose, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s grandnephew, has also criticised the film’s director over the alleged distortion of historical facts concerning the freedom fighter’s meeting with Hitler.

Speaking to IANS, he demanded an apology to the people of India, arguing that creative freedom should not come at the cost of historical accuracy.

“Distorting facts and resorting to fiction while dealing with national icons is, I think, a crime," Chandra Kumar Bose said, alleging that the film presented a distorted account of Netaji’s interaction with Hitler and undermined the freedom fighter’s stature.

He maintained that filmmakers were free to portray India’s freedom struggle and its leaders but should exercise care while depicting historical figures and events.

‘NETAJI OPPOSED FASCISM’, SAYS CHANDRA KUMAR BOSE

Explaining the historical context of Netaji’s meeting with Hitler, Chandra Kumar Bose said the freedom fighter had approached Germany and Japan in pursuit of assistance for India’s independence movement.

“Netaji recognised that Germany’s Hitler and Japan’s Hideki Tojo could provide assistance to India’s freedom movement at that juncture," he said.

Bose also stressed that Netaji opposed fascism and supported democratic principles.

“He vehemently opposed fascism and believed in democracy and people’s democratic rights," he added.

According to Chandra Kumar Bose, Netaji dealt with Hitler as an equal rather than a subordinate while seeking support for India’s independence. He said Hitler recognised Netaji’s patriotism and agreed to assist him, including by providing the submarine that took him to Southeast Asia.

Bose further said Hitler’s views about India, as expressed in his autobiography Mein Kampf, reflected a lack of understanding of the country’s history, heritage and culture.

He added that although both leaders initially pursued the independence of their respective nations, Hitler later became a megalomaniac.

DIRECTOR ACCUSED OF SENSATIONALISING HISTORICAL MEETING

Chandra Kumar Bose alleged that the director of Fauzi had sensationalised Netaji’s meeting with Hitler to generate controversy instead of presenting the historical context accurately.

He said Netaji had a “gigantic personality" and should not be portrayed in a manner that diminished his stature. Bose reiterated his demand for an apology from the filmmaker to the people of India and those who value the country’s freedom struggle.

Fauzi is an upcoming period war-action film written and directed by Hanu Raghavapudi, with Prabhas playing the protagonist.

The controversy surrounding its teaser has centred on the alleged depiction of Netaji’s interaction with Hitler and the manner in which the fictional protagonist is presented in relation to the historical freedom fighter.

About the Author

Vani Mehrotra

Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has more than 10 years of experience in national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.

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