'Jaat' director Gopichand Malinineni reacts to the trolling and legal troubles surrounding the Sunny Deol starrer: 'When it comes to God...people have...'

Sunny Deol’s latest action-packed thriller Jaat has garnered immense attention across the country, drawing praise from fans and prompting the makers to confirm a second instalment. However, even as the team celebrates the film’s success, it has found itself in hot water for allegedly offending the Christian community with one of its scenes. Director Gopichand Malineni has finally opened up about the issue.
In a conversation with India Today Digital, Gopichand responded to the backlash and shared how artists often find themselves on the receiving end of criticism. Highlighting the unpredictable nature of social media, Malineni remarked that he chooses not to dwell on the constant stream of public opinion. He stated that everyone has their own opinions on social media: “For example, I love Lord Balaji, but even when it comes to God, people have different opinions about whom they worship,” he explained.

At the same time, he admitted that audiences watch films with varying perspectives and different mindsets.
“Today, everyone has access to their own social media platforms, and they’re all sharing their thoughts. I don’t think much about that. You should follow what you feel, what you like, and where your focus lies – just go with that flow,” he added.
Despite the ongoing controversy, excitement surrounding Jaat 2 remains strong. The sequel was officially announced on April 17, following the favourable response to the first part.
Speaking about the future of the franchise, the filmmaker revealed that groundwork for the sequel had already been laid during the scripting phase of Jaat. He is currently busy working on a film with Telugu star Nandamuri Balakrishna Garu, which will commence in June. After completing that project, he will begin working on Jaat 2.
“In fact, when I was working on the script of Jaat, I had some ideas which I had penned down. So, I can promise that Jaat 2 will be bigger than the first part,” he concluded.

The controversy centres around a particular scene in which Randeep Hooda, portraying the main antagonist, appears inside a church beneath a crucifix, as members of the congregation pray. The depiction of violence and disruptive behaviour in this holy setting has triggered objections, leading to accusations of disrespect towards the Christian faith.
A formal complaint was reportedly lodged by Vikalp Gold, a resident of Pholdiwal village in Jalandhar. Based on this complaint, Jalandhar’s Sadar Police Station has registered a case against Sunny Deol, Randeep Hooda, Vineet Kumar Singh, director Gopichand Malineni, and producer Naveen Yerneni.