Ravi Teja’s latest outing Irumudi has turned into a major box-office success since its release last Friday, but the Shiva Nirvana directorial now faces controversy over its portrayal of government schools. The Andhra Pradesh Teachers’ Federation (APTF) has raised strong objections to certain scenes in the film, alleging that they portray government schools, teachers and students in a negative light. The association has demanded immediate removal of the objectionable portions, arguing that films wield significant influence on public perception, particularly when dealing with sensitive social issues like education.
Teachers Object to Government School Portrayal
APTF state president Chennupati Manjula and general secretary Basavalingarao issued a joint statement questioning the film’s portrayal of the public education system. According to the association, Irumudi depicts a government school teacher in a negative manner and goes further by explicitly naming the Zilla Parishad High School in Sileru, Alluri Sitharama Raju district. The film also reportedly uses the actual uniform worn by government-school students across Andhra Pradesh.
The association believes these elements could seriously damage the reputation of government teachers and public schools. This isn’t the first time a Telugu film has faced such pushback over portrayal issues—earlier this year, Ram Charan's Peddi encountered similar objections from tribal groups over alleged misrepresentation.
Will the Makers Respond?
The Irumudi controversy comes at a crucial time, with the film enjoying a strong theatrical run in the Telugu states and overseas. Interestingly, the disputed portions are said to be integral to the film’s narrative, making any potential alterations a complicated proposition for the makers. The production team has not yet officially responded to the APTF’s demands.
With Irumudi continuing its successful box-office run, industry observers are watching closely to see whether director Shiva Nirvana and his team will address the teachers’ concerns or stand by the creative choices that form an important part of the story.
