V. Hanumantha Rao clarifies stand on ‘Arjun Reddy’ poster controversy; said film worked well

Speaking at another film's pre-release event, Hanumantha Rao recalled the controversy that erupted when Arjun Reddy was released. He had then strongly objected to posters featuring lead actors Vijay Deverakonda and Shalini Pandey kissing, which were displayed on RTC buses and at public places across the Telugu States. He had even torn down some of the posters, triggering a public exchange with the film's team and director Sandeep Reddy Vanga.

Explaining his position now, Hanumantha Rao said filmmakers were free to depict whatever they wanted within their movies, but promotional material displayed in public spaces needed to be handled responsibly. He said he had objected because people, including children and families, could misunderstand or find such images inappropriate when they appeared prominently in public places.

He also pointed out that Arjun Reddy went on to perform well despite the controversy and said he wished the film being promoted at the latest event would also enjoy similar success.

His clarification appears to distinguish between creative freedom within cinema and the responsibility involved in choosing promotional material for public display. The 2017 controversy had attracted considerable attention, with Vanga and others criticising Hanumantha Rao's objections, while the film's posters were eventually withdrawn from several locations in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.