Cinema VinesPranay Reddy Vanga, the brother of acclaimed filmmaker Sandeep Reddy Vanga, has stirred debate in the Telugu film community after the release of his latest production, Romanchakam. The film hit theatres on September 3 and, according to trade reports, has grossed ₹9.72 crore worldwide. Despite the modest box‑office haul, critics offered only lukewarm reviews, a reaction that has prompted Pranay to confront the press head‑on.
Speaking on a YouTube channel, Pranay dismissed the act of reviewing as an “easy job”, noting that most movies—about 90% of them—fail and are therefore simple to critique. He added that a director’s effort is often overlooked in the production process, and that reviewers rarely consider the challenges faced during filmmaking. When the host suggested that critics aim to “kill” a movie, Pranay countered that the conversation has no end and that he cannot control the outcome of a film’s reception.
Pranay also pointed out that a film’s commercial performance can diverge from its critical reception, with some poorly reviewed movies doing well at the box office and vice versa. He concluded that the audience ultimately decides a film’s fate. In a metaphorical statement, he said, “Because this is a small film, they plucked feathers from a chicken egg. If they’re really capable of doing something, let’s see when Spirit releases. We will see when it releases.” This comment was taken as a direct challenge to reviewers who had been harsh on Romanchakam.
While Romanchakam was directed by Venu Gopal Reddy and stars Sumanth Prabhas and Ananthika Sanilkumar, the upcoming project that has drawn Pranay’s attention is Spirit. The film, directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga and produced by Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar, Pranay, and Prabhakar Reddy Vanga, is set to hit screens on March 5, 2027. Spirit will feature Prabhas in the lead role, alongside Triptii Dimri, Vivek Oberoi, Kanchana, and Aishwarya Desai. Though Prakash Raj was initially slated to star, his replacement remains unknown, and rumours of South Korean actor Don Lee’s involvement have been denied by Pranay.
In addition to the cast and release date, Spirit promises a fresh narrative: Prabhas portrays a cop who finds himself incarcerated under unusual circumstances. The film’s storyline and thematic direction remain largely undisclosed, leaving fans and critics alike eager for more details as the 2027 release approaches.
