In a recent social media controversy, director Harish Shankar, known for his upcoming film Ustaad Bhagat Singh starring Pawan Kalyan, found himself embroiled in a heated exchange with Mahesh Babu's fans. The issue began when Harish responded to a post on X that indirectly mocked Mahesh Babu’s film collections. His reply, "Thadasthu" (let it happen), was seen as a public endorsement of the negative comments made about the actor. This quickly went viral, leading to a significant backlash from Mahesh Babu's fans who accused the director of encouraging such criticism.

Harish Shankar, who has been tirelessly promoting Ustaad Bhagat Singh, took to social media to address the situation and offer an apology. He explained that he had been juggling multiple tasks that day, including meetings with officials, temple visits, post-production work, and promotions. In this hectic environment, the director admitted that he only partially read the post before replying. Realizing the mistake, Harish deleted the reply shortly after and clarified that he had not intended to disrespect Mahesh Babu in any way.

In his apology, Harish reiterated his deep respect for Mahesh Babu and expressed his regret for any harm his unintended response may have caused. He emphasized that the incident was a result of a misunderstanding during a busy day and stressed that it was never his intention to hurt anyone’s feelings. The director's message resonated with many, and he made it clear that he holds Mahesh Babu in high regard as a superstar.

As for Ustaad Bhagat Singh, the film is scheduled to release on March 19, 2026. With Pawan Kalyan in the lead, the film is set to be a major hit, and Harish Shankar is working hard to complete the final stages of post-production. Despite the brief controversy, the director is focused on delivering a successful film that fans of both Pawan Kalyan and Mahesh Babu can appreciate.