Varun Tej's Valmiki release deferred in Kurnool, film's title changed to Gaddalakonda Ganesh?

The release of the Varun Tej-starrer Valmiki, a remake of Tamil hit Jigarthanda, has been deferred in the Rayalaseema districts of Kurnool and Anantapur following severe objections raised by the Boya community.

Ever since the Harish Shankar-directorial was launched, the leaders of the Boya community have been expressing their concerns over the film violating their community rights and cultural practices and have requested the Telangana high court and the district collectors of Kurnool and Anantapur to either change the title or to defer the release until their issues were addressed.

Keeping the repercussions in mind, the district collector of Kurnool has issued an order today to stop the release of Valmiki in the district, citing law and order issues.

Following the Superintendent of Police's report, in the order issued to the cinema theatres and multiplexes of Kurnool district, collector G Veerapandian has stated that the release of Valmiki will create law and order problems like pelting stones, damaging the properties of theatres, and public as Boya caste is major community in the district and requested to take necessary steps to stop the release of the Varun Tej-starrer.

Exercising his orders, the district collector of Kurnool has issued an order saying, "Under the Section 8 (1) of the Andhra Pradesh Cinema Regulation Act, 1955, it is nearby suspended the exhibition/screening of Valmiki film in the cinema theatres of the Kurnool district. The management of the cinema theatres of Kurnool district are nearby ordered to obey the order without fail."

Sources also suggest that the district collector of Anantapur is also contemplating to issue a similar order to stop the release of Valmiki.

The makers have reportedly decided to change the title of the film from Valmiki to Gaddalakonda Ganesh, the character played by Varun Tej in the film.

Featuring Pooja Hegde as the female lead, Valmiki is produced by Gopi Achanta and Ram Achanta. The film is slated for release tomorrow.