Actors Rana Daggubati and Teja Sajja added humour to the IIFA Utsavam Awards recently, using the star-studded event in Dubai to poke fun at the Telugu film industry. While much of their banter was lighthearted, one particular joke about director Harish Shankar’s latest release, Mr. Bachchan, didn’t sit well with the filmmaker.
The Joke That Sparked a Response
During their routine, Rana began by remarking, “Bachchan garu ki ee year highest high and lowest low kuda chusaru” (Amitabh Bachchan has seen the highest high and lowest low this year). Teja followed up by asking, “Highest high Kalki. Lowest low enti?” (The highest high is Kalki 2898 AD, what’s his lowest low?) To this, Rana hinted, “Ade monna release aindi ga, Mr…” (The film that recently released, Mr…), a thinly veiled jab at Mr. Bachchan. Teja cut him off before he could name the film explicitly, but the reference was clear to those watching.
Clips of the exchange quickly circulated on social media, prompting fans of actor Ravi Teja and director Harish Shankar to urge a response. The director took to X (formerly Twitter), addressing the quip. Writing in Telugu, he responded, “Enno…vinnanu tammudu…andulo idoti. Anni rojulu okela undavu. Nakaina…evarikaina…” (I have faced a lot, brother. This is also one of those moments. All days won’t stay the same, whether for me or anyone else). Shankar turned off comments on the post, indicating his reluctance to engage further with online trolls.
A Rough Year for Mr. Bachchan
For those unfamiliar, Mr. Bachchan, starring Ravi Teja, is a remake of the 2018 Hindi hit Raid. Released on August 15, the film received a lukewarm response from audiences and critics alike, struggling at the box office.
Other Jibes That Lit Up the Event
Rana and Teja’s banter didn’t stop there. They humorously remarked on actress Samantha Ruth Prabhu’s shift from “sister-in-law to sister” for Rana, alluding to her changing screen roles. They also teased about how HanuMan outperformed Guntur Kaaram during Sankranthi festivities.
In another quip, the duo joked about Allu Arjun’s delayed projects, suggesting his next film be titled “Pushpa too late.” They even mentioned the much-talked-about Adipurush, noting that despite the filmmakers’ gesture of reserving a seat for Lord Hanuman at screenings, “even He decided to catch it on OTT.” The pair also made a veiled joke about MAA President Vishnu Manchu, implying he would request them to delete their jokes within 48 hours, referencing his earlier warnings to trolls.
Their lighthearted takes on industry happenings added a spirited edge to the IIFA Utsavam Awards, capturing the attention of fans and stars alike.