Archive · 19 Sep 2026
Mandaadi Director Clarifies Suhas Colour Remarks, Regrets Misunderstanding
Mandaadi is a Tamil movie starring Soori and Telugu actor Suhas.
It is Suhas’s first Tamil film and is about catamaran racing.
The director said Suhas was hurt by racist comments about his skin colour from one person back home.
He promised to talk about the incident if the movie became successful.
Some Telugu social media users thought the director was criticizing all Telugu people and Telugu cinema.
The director said that was not what he meant.
He said his comments were about only one person and that he respects Telugu cinema and its audience.
The film earned nearly Rs 80 crore worldwide in its first eight days.
Director Mathimaran Pugazhendhi said Suhas faced racist comments about his skin colour from an individual back home.
Mathimaran said the remarks affected Suhas during the making of Mandaadi and that he promised to address them if the film succeeded.
Some Telugu social media users interpreted the director’s comments as criticism of Telugu people, audiences, and cinema.
Mathimaran clarified that he was referring only to one person and expressed regret over the misunderstanding.
Mandaadi collected Rs 79.93 crore worldwide in eight days, with significant business from the Telugu market.
- Who
- Director Mathimaran Pugazhendhi, actor Suhas, and Telugu social media users involved in the controversy.
- What
- Mathimaran clarified that his comments about racist remarks against Suhas targeted one individual, not Telugu people or Telugu cinema.
- When
- The original comments were made at Mandaadi’s success meet on Thursday, followed by the clarification on Friday.
- Where
- The comments were made at Mandaadi’s success meet; the alleged remarks against Suhas were described as coming from back home.
- Why
- Mathimaran sought to support Suhas and correct the interpretation that he had criticized the Telugu community, audience, or film industry.
Director’s Clarification
Social Media Interpretation
Target of the remarks
Director’s Clarification
Mathimaran said he was discussing one person’s comments directed at Suhas, not an entire community.
Social Media Interpretation
Some Telugu social media users interpreted the original remarks as a broader criticism of Telugu people and Telugu cinema.
View of Telugu cinema and audiences
Director’s Clarification
Mathimaran said he respects Telugu cinema and its audience, citing his praise for the industry at Mandaadi’s Hyderabad pre-release event.
Social Media Interpretation
The original wording was perceived by some as suggesting that Telugu audiences or the Telugu film industry discriminate against actors based on colour.
Suhas’s response
Director’s Clarification
Suhas responded by thanking Telugu audiences for supporting his career from short films to leading roles.
Social Media Interpretation
Rather than directly debating the controversy, Suhas focused on acknowledging the audience’s support.
- Film
- Mandaadi
- Director
- Mathimaran Pugazhendhi
- Cast
- Suhas and Soori
- Suhas’s role
- The film marks Suhas’s Tamil debut; he plays Sattapuli opposite Soori.
- Reported incident
- Suhas allegedly faced racist comments about his skin colour from one individual.
- Worldwide gross
- Rs 79.93 crore in the first eight days.
- Telugu market
- A significant portion of the film’s business came from the Telugu market.
