In a first, Chiranjeevi’s Film Moves to Curb Bot-Driven Online Ratings
Welcoming the initiative, director Hemanth Madhukar said Telugu filmmakers have for years been at the receiving end of organised online attacks.
In what is being described as a path-breaking move, the makers of Megastar Chiranjeevi’s upcoming film Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu have taken a decisive step to counter negativity in the digital space. The team has reportedly put in place the Telugu film industry’s first court-backed legal shield aimed at preventing bot-driven review bombing and malicious down-rating on online platforms. What makes the move pragmatic is that it goes beyond statements or warnings and carries enforceable legal authority.
Welcoming the initiative, director Hemanth Madhukar said Telugu filmmakers have for years been at the receiving end of organised online attacks. "Telugu films have suffered due to unknown individuals from various locations posting extremely poor ratings and one-word negative comments. Internet robots or bots flood platforms with minuscule ratings on the first day, which can influence audience perception even before genuine reviews emerge,” he said.
Hemanth pointed out that such activity is rampant across platforms like X (Twitter), Facebook, Instagram, and BookMyShow. “In some cases, people even upload videos from inside theatres and post alarming comments while the film is still running. These reviews and ratings often appear at the top, either unduly praising or unfairly downplaying a film immediately after release,” he added.
Another producer highlighted how the system is manipulated from both ends. “There are instances where films receive 1 or 1.5 ratings at the opening itself, directly impacting audience sentiment. Some of these accounts can be traced to foreign locations, including a few African countries, making them difficult to track. At the same time, some producers spend ₹2–5 lakh to artificially boost their films with short positive comments like ‘Wonderful’ or ‘Super’ and inflated ratings, which also distorts public opinion,” the producer said.
Hemanth Madhukar further observed that films have increasingly slipped out of producers’ hands and into the control of fan groups. “Fan wars have taken over social media. Fans compare collections, views on songs or teasers, and attack rival stars. Tracking and stopping such organised behaviour becomes extremely difficult,” he noted.
By seeking judicial intervention to restrict malicious reviews and prevent unfair down-ranking on digital platforms, the makers of Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu have drawn a clear line between genuine criticism and organised digital sabotage. The intent, they emphasise, is not to silence audiences but to protect fairness, transparency, and authenticity in film feedback.
“Right now, such reviews have been stopped on BookMyShow. This legal shield should be extended to social media platforms as well. Only then can we truly stem this negativity business,” Hemanth concluded.
