Naga Vamsi Clarifies Comments on Boney Kapoor During South Cinema Debate

The recent Naga Vamsi Boney Kapoor debate at a Galatta India roundtable stirred online conversations about respect and industry dynamics. During the discussion, the producers shared differing views on South Indian cinema’s impact on Bollywood.

Naga Vamsi stated that South Indian films have revolutionized Indian cinema. “We, South Indians, have changed the way Bollywood looks at cinema. Bollywood was stuck making films for Bandra and Juhu,” he remarked, citing blockbusters like Baahubali, RRR, and Jawan.

When Boney Kapoor expressed his disagreement, Vamsi interrupted, leading to online criticism about his tone. Trade analysts and filmmakers like Hansal Mehta and Sanjay Gupta accused Vamsi of being disrespectful.

Responding to these claims, Vamsi clarified on X (formerly Twitter) that his comments were taken out of context. He wrote, “There was no disrespect towards Boney Ji. It was a healthy discussion. We had a nice laugh and hugged after the interview.” He added that the South respects Boney Kapoor even more than Bollywood does.

The Producers’ Body of Work

Naga Vamsi, known for producing hits like Jersey, Bheemla Nayak, and Rang De, has several upcoming projects, including Guntur Kaaram, Tillu Square, and Daaku Maharaaj, releasing on January 12.

Boney Kapoor, a veteran in Bollywood, has delivered classics like Mr. India and Judaai. He recently produced Maidaan, starring Ajay Devgn, set to release on April 10, 2024.

The Naga Vamsi Boney Kapoor debate highlights the evolving dynamics between Bollywood and South Indian cinema, sparking discussions about mutual respect and creative influences.