(Image source from: x.com/RGVzoomin)
SS Rajamouli faced criticism for his remarks about Lord Hanuman during the Varanasi Globe Trotter event, leading to strong reactions on social media. People accused the director of disrespecting religious feelings after he mentioned feeling disappointed in Lord Hanuman. After the situation got worse, director Ram Gopal Varma came forward to support Rajamouli during the backlash. In an extensive statement posted on X, Varma argued that being an atheist in India is completely acceptable. “With all the harsh words being thrown by those who claim to be believers at @ssrajamouli, they must realize that atheism is not illegal in India. Article 25 of the Constitution guarantees the freedom not to believe. Therefore, he has every right to express his disbelief, just like the critics have the right to declare their faith. Now, regarding the silly point that says, ‘if he doesn't believe in God, why does he feature God in his films?’ Should a director become a criminal to create a crime story or become a ghost to create a horror movie?”
He continued, “And here's the surprising reality? Even though he doesn't have faith in God, God has blessed @ssrajamouli with far greater achievements, more riches, and more admiration from fans than many believers will ever receive in numerous lifetimes. So either (1) God favors atheists more than those with faith, (2) God is indifferent, or (3) perhaps… God isn’t keeping track of who has faith and who doesn’t. If God has no objections to him, then why are the so-called guardians of God getting so upset and stressed?” “The issue isn’t his lack of belief. The real issue is that he has thrived without faith in God—and this terrifies those who have failed despite their fervent prayers. “Believers need to stop defending God as if He is weak and requires their safeguarding. “The reality is that Rajamouli’s atheism doesn’t take away from God. It only heightens the anxiety of those who assume faith will crumble if someone stops believing. So chill out. God is doing well. Rajamouli is doing well. The ones who are truly struggling are those who fail to comprehend either of them. So with Varanasi, while God continues to add to @ssrajamouli's already overflowing wealth, the envious can lament their misfortune. In summary—it’s just plain jealousy disguised as faith. Jai Hanuman,” he playfully concluded.
In the context of all the venom being spewed by the so called believers on @ssrajamouli they should know that being an atheist in India is not a crime . Article 25 of the Constitution protects the right to not believe
— Ram Gopal Varma (@RGVzoomin) November 21, 2025
So he has every right to say he doesn’t believe as much as the…
During the Varanasi Globe Trotter event, which was graced by the movie's main stars Priyanka Chopra, Mahesh Babu, and Prithviraj Sukumaran, a technical issue disrupted the atmosphere of the gathering. Expressing regret for the trouble, SS Rajamouli stated, “I do not have faith in God. My dad said that Hanuman would support me. I felt frustrated right after this (issue) occurred. Is this the assistance I receive from Him?” This comment led to a surge of displeased responses on social media, as many claimed he offended the beliefs of those who are religious. On November 15, the Vanara Sena group filed a complaint, accusing SS Rajamouli of hurting the feelings of Hindus with his statements at the Globe Trotter event for his upcoming movie Varanasi in Hyderabad.
