Director Harish Shankar Apologizes to Mahesh Babu Fans Over Tweet Row

Director Harish Shankar has issued a heartfelt public apology to Superstar Mahesh Babu’s fans following a social media misunderstanding during promotions for his upcoming film Ustaad Bhagat Singh, starring Pawan Kalyan and set for release on March 19, 2026.
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The Tweet That Sparked Controversy

The issue began when a fan tweeted that Ustaad Bhagat Singh should break all existing box office records held by Mahesh Babu’s films. Harish Shankar quickly replied with “Thadastu” (meaning “So be it” in Telugu), which fans interpreted as a direct jab at Mahesh Babu’s collections.
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This response went viral, drawing immediate backlash from Mahesh Babu’s loyal supporters who trolled the director online.

Within minutes, Harish Shankar deleted the tweet after his team alerted him to the full context, but screenshots had already spread widely.

Harish Shankar’s Detailed Apology

On March 11, 2026, Harish Shankar posted a lengthy clarification on X (formerly Twitter), explaining the hectic day involving censor meetings, temple visits, post-production, and promotions left him rushing through replies.

He admitted to only partially reading the tweet and stressed his “immense respect” for Mahesh Babu, predicting that the actor’s upcoming film Varanasi (SSMB29) would shatter records.

“I have enough common sense not to post such things when my film is releasing in just 10 days,” he added, emphasizing that fan support from all stars is crucial for success.
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Fan Reactions and Industry Context

Mahesh Babu fans accepted the apology variably, with some praising his humility while others continued light trolling.
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The row unfolded amid high stakes for Ustaad Bhagat Singh, a remake of Tamil hit Theri, clashing at the box office with Ranveer Singh’s Dhurandhar.

Harish Shankar’s quick response highlights the sensitivity of fan sentiments in Tollywood, where cross-star rivalries can ignite quickly on social media.

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