The highly anticipated Telugu film Daaku Maharaaj, featuring popular actor Nandamuri Balakrishna, is set to grace Netflix on February 21, 2025. Following its theatrical release on January 12, 2025, the film has generated considerable buzz, not only for its action-packed narrative but also due to recent controversies surrounding actress Urvashi Rautela, who plays Sub-inspector Janaki.
Initially, Daaku Maharaaj was met with mixed reviews, yet it achieved notable financial success, grossing over ₹107 crore against its ₹100 crore production budget. Despite its initial box office success, the film's performance faced challenges, particularly outside its home regions, with Karnataka and Kerala registering minimal earnings.
One of the prominent aspects attracting attention recently relates to the promotional campaign for Daaku Maharaaj. When Netflix announced the film's upcoming release, many fans quickly noted the glaring absence of Urvashi Rautela from the promotional poster. This sparked outrage on social media, leading fans to criticize Netflix and question why she was omitted, especially considering she played a significant role in promoting the film.
Adding fuel to the fire, reports suggest Netflix may have decided to edit out scenes featuring Rautela from the film entirely, likely as a response to backlash following comments she made during the film's promotional events. Speculation intensified when screenshots surfaced online displaying the credits section for the film on Netflix, where Rautela's name was conspicuously missing, prompting users to express their displeasure.
According to NDTV, the decision to remove her scenes has yet to be officially confirmed. Still, as fans gear up for the streaming release, many are left wondering if the actress's screen time will be significantly reduced or entirely eliminated.
Rautela’s moments with Balakrishna, particularly the dance number “Dabidi Dibidi,” were viral hits on YouTube, racking up view counts of millions across different versions. This song not only showcased her talents but also highlighted their chemistry on screen, adding to the intrigue of her potential absence from the streaming version.
Social media reactions have oscillated between amusement and outrage, with one user humorously pointing out, “India’s first woman to be removed from the poster of a 105+ cr film,” exemplifying the mixed feelings people have about her portrayal and the criticism she garnered during promotional tours. Resting on shaky ground, Urvashi faced backlash for comments perceived as tone-deaf when the actress, seemingly disregarding the gravity of the incident, turned the conversation toward the film's commercial success amid discussions about the Saif Ali Khan stabbing incident.
Despite these issues, the film’s storyline, which intertwines themes of action and emotional depth set against the socio-political backdrop of 1996, works to captivate audiences. Viewers follow Sitaram, played by Balakrishna, who escapes prison to protect Vaishnavi, portrayed by Pragya Jaiswal, from the perils surrounding their tumultuous environment. Critics noted, "The parameters for Balakrishna’s movies are the ‘highs’ and emotional quotient rather than logic or innovative storytelling," as reported by The Week, underlining the expectations fans have when it involves their beloved star.
While the controversies surrounding Urvashi Rautela may overshadow some aspects of the film’s initial success, anticipation for its Netflix debut remains high. Will the rumored cuts affect viewership? Or will fans still tune in to experience Balakrishna's on-screen charisma? Only time will tell as the date inches nearer.
With all eyes on the OTT release, early indicators suggest audiences will be eager to find out if Urvashi Rautela’s scenes have truly been removed and whether the film can weather the storm of criticism leading up to its streaming launch.