Full Breakdown
Court Order Restricts Ratings for Chiranjeevi's Film to Combat Online Attacks
1/12/2026, 9:04:20 PM
Overview of the Court Order
The upcoming Telugu film *Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu*, featuring prominent actors Chiranjeevi, Nayanthara, and Venkatesh, has become the first in the Telugu film industry to have its ratings and reviews restricted on ticketing platforms like BookMyShow. This legal decision aims to mitigate the impact of potential online attacks that could adversely affect the film's box office performance. The court order was issued to prevent coordinated negative down-ranking and malicious review attacks, which have been a growing concern for filmmakers.
Background and Context
The initiative to restrict ratings and reviews stems from ongoing issues within the Telugu film industry, where filmmakers have faced organized online attacks that distort public perception through artificial reviews and bots. Director Hemanth Madhukar highlighted that Telugu films have suffered from such tactics for years, with unknown individuals posting poor ratings and negative comments that can mislead audiences before genuine reviews are available.
Industry Response
The court's decision has been welcomed by various industry figures. Actor Vijay Deverakonda expressed his support on social media, acknowledging the protection of filmmakers' hard work and financial investments while lamenting the reality of negative online behavior. The initiative is spearheaded by BlockBigg and AiPlex, in collaboration with the Bharat Digital Media Federation, emphasizing the industry's commitment to transparency and digital accountability.
Implications for the Film Industry
This court order sets a significant precedent for fair digital practices within the film industry, aiming to foster ethical audience engagement. While it may not completely eliminate the problem of online manipulation, it provides a measure of relief for filmmakers who have long been affected by these issues. The recognition of the threat posed to even high-profile films like *Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu* underscores the need for protective measures in the digital landscape.
Previous Similar Actions
This is not the first instance of such a court order in the Indian film industry. In December 2025, BookMyShow disabled ratings and reviews for the Kannada film *The Devil*, following a similar court ruling. This trend indicates a growing awareness and response to the challenges posed by online review manipulation across different regional film industries.
What's Next
As *Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu* continues its theatrical run, the film's reception will be closely monitored, particularly in light of the recent court order. The outcome may influence future policies regarding online ratings and reviews in the film industry, potentially leading to more protective measures for filmmakers against digital harassment.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Happy to know hard work, dreams and money of many is protected in a way. And Sad because of the reality of our own people causing these problems. What happened to live and let live? and growing together?” — Vijay Deverakonda, Actor
- “Telugu films have suffered due to unknown individuals from various locations posting extremely poor ratings and one-word negative comments.” — Hemanth Madhukar, Director
