Telugu actor Nani has joined the list of actors who have criticised Arshad Warsi’s ‘joker’ comment about Prabhas’ performance in ‘Kalki 2898 AD’. When the actor was asked to comment on the matter at a promotional event of the film, he said, without naming Arshad, that it seems to be the “biggest publicity” of his career.

“I think that person (referring to Arshad Warsi) has just got the biggest publicity in his life. You are unnecessarily glorifying an unimportant matter,” Nani, popularly known as ‘The Natural Star’, said in Telugu.

The actor was promoting his film ‘Saripodha Sanivaram Random’ when he made this statement. The film’s producer Dil Raju also commented on the issue and told the media that the whole controversy has helped Prabhas gain more popularity among the audience. He said in Telugu, “Random people keep saying many things. In this case, Prabhas has got more limelight due to this incident.”

Earlier, actors Sudheer Babu and Sidhu Jonnalagadda had also criticised Arshad for his statement in the interview. In a long post on Instagram, the latter wrote, “We are all open to some constructive criticism, but words like ‘clown’ don’t exactly say that.” Babu tweeted that Arshad’s comments sounded “unprofessional” and “small-minded”.

It all started when the ‘Jolly LLB’ star appeared on a podcast and expressed his disappointment with ‘Kalki 2898 AD’. He said that he did not like the film and Amitabh Bachchan’s performance was the only good thing about it. He criticised the makers for not justifying Prabhas’ stardom and acting talent in the film.

Arshad said, “Prabhas, I am really sad, why was he doing this… he was like a joker. Why? I want to see Mad Max. I want to see Mel Gibson there.” What have you done to him, friend? I don’t understand why you do this (What have you made him into? I don’t understand why they say such things).”

The comment did not go down well with Prabhas fans and several celebs from the Telugu film industry did not hold back in hitting out at the actor on social media.