In an unexpected move, Netflix has reportedly deleted all scenes featuring actress Urvashi Rautela from the Telugu-language action-drama Daaku Maharaaj. The decision, made just before the film’s scheduled streaming release, has sparked backlash from her fans and supporters.

According to industry sources, Daaku Maharaaj, starring Nandamuri Balakrishna, is set to premiere on Netflix on February 21. However, the official poster announcing the film’s release on the platform raised concerns among viewers, as it prominently featured actors Bobby Deol, Pragya Jaiswal, and Shraddha Srinath, while noticeably omitting Rautela.

The exclusion quickly caught the attention of social media users, who reacted with confusion and humour, questioning why the actress—who played a significant role in the film and actively promoted it—was missing from the promotional material. In response to the backlash, Netflix later released individual character slides, which included Rautela’s image twice, seemingly as an attempt to rectify the situation.

Directed by Bobby Kolli, Daaku Maharaaj features an ensemble cast, including Rishi, Chandini Chowdary, Pradeep Rawat, Sachin Khedekar, Shine Tom Chacko, Viswant Duddumpudi, Aadukalam Naren, and Ravi Kishan. The film originally hit theatres on January 12, 2025, coinciding with the Sankranti festival, and has reportedly grossed Rs 105 crore worldwide.

Rautela’s absence from the final cut of the film is particularly striking given her active involvement in promoting it. However, her promotional efforts took an unexpected turn when she faced criticism for comments made regarding actor Saif Ali Khan’s recent stabbing incident. While condemning the attack, Rautela also showcased her luxury possessions, including a diamond-studded watch, a move that many deemed insensitive.

As Netflix remains silent on the reasons behind the removal of Rautela’s scenes, speculation continues to swirl, leaving fans awaiting further clarification on the matter.