RJ Balaji, the actor-director and former film critic, has landed in controversy following his comments at the Telugu trailer launch event of Veera Bhadrudu held in Hyderabad on May 11, 2026. His dismissal of social media criticism has sparked intense backlash online, with many pointing out the irony given his own past as an outspoken movie reviewer.
What RJ Balaji Said at the Event
During the Hyderabad event, RJ Balaji stated that the film was “not made for people on social media,” explaining that the team’s primary intention was to bring back the vintage mass version of Suriya that audiences loved in films like Ayan and Singam. According to him, Veera Bhadrudu was designed purely as a theatrical entertainer meant to be enjoyed on the big screen with fans and general audiences.
The Irony: RJ Balaji’s Past as a Film Critic
However, his statement quickly triggered backlash on social media, with netizens pointing out the glaring irony. Before entering the film industry as an actor and filmmaker, RJ Balaji himself was widely known for his blunt movie reviews and strong opinions on cinema.
As a popular radio jockey on BIG FM, Balaji gained attention through his famous segment “Take it Easy,” where he openly reviewed and criticized films. He was also active on YouTube and radio platforms, often delivering brutally honest takes on movies and filmmaking trends. In November 2013, he officially stopped doing reviews, stating that he could no longer deal with the “aftermath” of every episode and felt the industry lacked the maturity to handle honest criticism.
Social media users are now revisiting his past statements and questioning why he is dismissing online criticism today after previously building a major part of his popularity through public film commentary.
Animal Criticism Resurfaces in the Debate
The controversy intensified further as fans also brought up RJ Balaji’s criticism of Animal. Balaji had openly condemned the Ranbir Kapoor starrer for its portrayal of women and even revealed that he intentionally avoided watching the film in theatres after hearing about its content.
This has now led many netizens to ask: if RJ Balaji himself openly judged and criticized several films in the past, why should audiences suddenly treat Veera Bhadrudu as “mere entertainment” without being judgmental? Fans online are debating whether the actor-director is now facing the same culture of criticism that he once actively participated in before joining the industry.
Despite the controversy, the trailer of Veera Bhadrudu has managed to generate strong buzz among audiences, especially with the return of Suriya in a powerful mass-action avatar.
