Viral Clip Sparks Row Over K Raghavendra Rao’s Conduct at Film Launch

A video from a high-profile movie launch in Hyderabad has triggered intense public scrutiny regarding the behaviour of veteran filmmaker K Raghavendra Rao towards actors Keerthy Suresh and Krithi Shetty.

The glitz of a film muhuratam in Hyderabad—typically a moment of celebration for the industry—has been overshadowed by a digital firestorm. On Thursday, during the launch of director Anil Ravipudi’s upcoming project, an 84-year-old veteran of the Telugu film industry, K Raghavendra Rao, became the subject of widespread criticism after a clip from the event began circulating on social media.

The footage captures the filmmaker positioning the lead cast, including Venkatesh Daggubati and Nandamuri Kalyanram, for the inaugural shot. During the sequence, he is seen reaching out to pull Keerthy Suresh and Krithi Shetty closer by their arms. The clip shows him adjusting their positions before later directing the male actors on how to place their arms on the women’s shoulders.

Digital Backlash and Defenses

As the video went viral on X, the reaction was immediate and harsh. Many users questioned the necessity of the physical contact, with some labeling the filmmaker’s actions as inappropriate and lacking in consent. Comments ranged from outrage over his repeated physical proximity to women in public settings to sharp condemnations of his conduct on stage.

Conversely, a segment of the audience has stepped in to defend the director. Proponents argue that the interaction was purely professional, asserting that he was merely fulfilling his role as the person directing the ceremonial first shot—a task that often involves choreographing the frame for the photographers and the film crew present at the ceremony.

The Bigger Picture

This incident highlights an evolving tension in the Indian film industry, where traditional practices are increasingly being held up against modern standards of workplace conduct and personal boundaries. For veteran filmmakers, directing a muhuratam shot is a ceremonial honor, yet the viral nature of such events means that every movement is now subject to global scrutiny.

Whether intended as professional instruction or not, the incident underscores a shifting cultural climate. Audiences are no longer passive observers of industry traditions; they are active participants who demand a higher degree of awareness regarding bodily autonomy, even in the highly collaborative and often physically guided environment of a film set. As the clip continues to gain traction, it serves as a stark reminder that the lens of the public is now as powerful as the camera on set.