A few days after news broke that several Tollywood producers, including HanuMan production house M/S Primeshow Entertainment Pvt. Ltd., had complained to the Telugu Film Chamber claiming that director Prasanth Varma took advances but failed to deliver on promised films, the filmmaker has finally broken his silence.
Prasanth Varma took to X (formerly Twitter) to address the controversy, firmly denying all allegations. He explained that media outlets had shared only selective portions of his response, which he felt misrepresented the situation.
“The dispute between me and M/S Primeshow Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. is presently pending and under consideration before the Telugu Film Chamber/Telugu Film Directors' Association and is therefore sub-judice,” he wrote.
He stressed that once a matter is in an industry forum, parties are expected to avoid discussing it publicly.
“Any attempt to publish internal pleadings, emails, agreements or financial details at this stage amounts to interference with the proceedings and is clearly intended to prejudice public opinion,” Prasanth added.
He urged the media to hold off on further reporting until the Film Chamber announces its verdict, saying, “I categorically state that the allegations made against me are all false, baseless and retaliatory.”
The allegations revolve around claims made by producer K Niranjan Reddy in a letter dated 11 October.
He alleged that Prasanth failed to honour commitments despite receiving advances for multiple projects, including Adhira, Mahakali, Jai Hanuman, and Brahma Rakshas, which were supposed to follow the success of HanuMan in 2021.
According to Niranjan, he paid Prasanth Rs 2 crore in 2022 and Rs 8 crore in 2024 for future projects, and he spent Rs 15 lakh on the Adhira teaser.
According to Niranjan, Prasanth later handed over Adhira to Vijay Binni, asking for Rs 15 lakh, while Mahakali was reassigned to Pooja Aparna Kolluru with a Rs 2 lakh fee.
The producer also alleges that Prasanth promised Jai Hanuman to Mythri Movie Makers and hinted Hombale Films might take up Brahma Rakshas, despite payments exceeding ₹10 crore already made.
For Octopus, Niranjan claims to have paid another Rs 10 crore in 2022, some of which was allegedly spent on filming. He is now seeking ₹100 crore for Jai Hanuman and Rs 25 crore each for Adhira, Mahakali, Octopus, and Brahma Rakshas, totalling ₹200 crore in damages.
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In his response to the chamber on 27 October, Prasanth insisted that despite HanuMan earning Rs 295 crore worldwide, he received just over Rs 7 crore and no profit share. He said he was paid Rs 1 crore for the Adhira teaser and nothing more and claimed he has repeatedly requested the producer release pending payments.
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