Cinema VinesDuring the pre‑release event for the upcoming film Epic, director Sandeep Reddy Vanga sparked a heated backlash after making a controversial remark about fellow filmmaker Sekhar Kammula’s character writing. While speaking off‑stage with anchor Suma, Vanga bluntly stated that he does not like Kammula’s heroes, adding that he prefers Kammula’s heroines. The comment came after Suma had asked him about the protagonists in Epic, noting that the male lead resembled a hero from a Kammula film while the female lead resembled a Vanga hero. Vanga repeated his sentiment, saying, “I don’t like Sekhar Kammula’s heroes. I like his heroines more.” He also referenced his earlier work, asserting that he still stands by the portrayal of love in his film Arjun Reddy.
The statement quickly spread across X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit, where users expressed outrage and called for Vanga to be humbled. Comments ranged from “We need more Kammulas, less Vangas” to criticisms that Vanga’s heroes are “rich alphas” while Kammula’s heroes span “leader to beggar.” Some Redditors argued that equality in storytelling should not be seen as oppression, and others pointed out that Kammula’s heroes are diverse, including political leaders, college students, and everyday people, whereas Vanga’s characters are often portrayed as toxic alpha males who smoke, drink, and dominate.
Fans and critics alike highlighted the stark contrast between the two directors’ styles. Kammula is celebrated for crafting sensitive, vulnerable, grounded, supportive, and idealistic male protagonists, as seen in his recent film Kuberaa starring Dhanush, Nagarjuna, and Rashmika Mandanna. Vanga, on the other hand, has been accused of writing alpha, aggressive, flawed, and unapologetic characters that have become emblematic of a certain toxic masculinity in contemporary Telugu cinema.
Vanga’s comments have reignited a debate over the representation of gender and power in Indian film narratives, with many urging the director to reflect on his influence and the messages he conveys through his characters. The controversy underscores the broader conversation about how filmmakers portray heroes and heroines, and the impact these portrayals have on audiences and industry standards.
