In a scene in 8 Vasantalu, a Brahmin priest the heroine trusts while on a pilgrimage to Varanasi turns out to be a villain who wants to rape her. On Monday, a senior journalist accused the film of improperly highlighting the caste identity of the negative character when the caste identities of the male lead and other good characters remains unknown.
Hours later, director Phanindra Narsetti issued clarification, stating that sin can be committed by anybody. "I extend my deepest respects to the Brahmin community for their contribution to Sanathan Dharma and Vedic literature," he began.
He added that crimes are committed based on an individual's mindset and nature, not their community or religion. He explained that he tried to show how people are different despite their social statuses. The director clarified that he did not point fingers at any specific community and chose characters based on the context of a slaughterhouse. He then posed a question about Ravana, who was the son of a Brahmin father and a great tapasvi of Lord Shiva. He asked what changed in Ravana, despite being learned and revered in Vedas and scriptures, leading him to steal another man's wife.
Narsetti reiterated that a person commits crime due to their nature and mindset, not their religion or caste, asserting that this is human nature.
He advised changing perspectives and avoiding unnecessary or unintended connections.
8 Vasantalu has been a total disaster on the commercial front.
