The team behind the upcoming Telugu film Fauji, starring Prabhas and directed by Hanu Raghavapudi, is facing unexpected turbulence as actress Imanvi Ismail becomes a target of social media outrage.
The controversy erupted following a terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, that claimed 26 lives — 25 Indian tourists and one Nepali citizen — triggering widespread anger across India.
In the immediate aftermath of the attack, emotions ran high, with calls for stricter action against Pakistan and boycotts of individuals perceived to have Pakistani links.
Caught in the crossfire was Imanvi Ismail, who is making her Telugu debut with Fauji. Netizens accused her of having Pakistani origins and demanded that she be removed from Indian projects.
In response to the backlash, Imanvi issued a detailed statement on Instagram, clarifying her heritage. She described herself as an Indo-American, raised in the United States, and emphasized that her family has no direct ties to Pakistan. “I am proud of my Indian roots through my mother,” she wrote, seeking to distance herself from the boycott movement brewing online.
However, the situation escalated when social media users unearthed older posts where Imanvi had acknowledged her mixed heritage, mentioning that while her mother is Indian, her father has Pakistani ancestry. These resurfaced comments fueled a fresh wave of trolling, with some accusing her of hiding her background to secure work in Indian cinema.
Despite the online firestorm, the Fauji team has stood firmly by Imanvi.
In a statement, they stressed that she was cast purely on merit after her audition tapes and Instagram reels — all produced in the U.S. — impressed the filmmakers. They reiterated that she is an NRI (Non-Resident Indian) and that her selection had nothing to do with her ethnicity or background.
Produced by Mythri Movie Makers, Fauji is one of the most anticipated films currently in production. The team is reportedly keen to stay focused on the project and not get dragged into politically charged controversies.