As audiences gear up for the much-awaited second season of the gritty Netflix series Rana Naidu, lead actor Rana Daggubati is opening up about the intense conversations around cinema, particularly the rising wave of online criticism and moral policing that artists face today.
Known for his unconventional choices and fearless portrayals, Rana has never shied away from diving into darker, edgier narratives. But with evolving digital platforms and the increasing boldness of themes and characters, creators today often find themselves walking a tightrope between creative expression and public backlash. Rana Naidu, which pushed boundaries in both language and content, has been no exception.
In a candid conversation, Rana addressed the growing negativity online and the polarized reactions to bold storytelling. “We’re in a time where content is being consumed at a massive scale, across regions, languages, and age groups,” he explained. “But with that exposure also comes criticism — some valid, and some simply rooted in discomfort.”
He further elaborated, “The whole purpose of storytelling, at least the kind I want to be a part of, isn’t to please everyone. It’s to stir something inside you. If art doesn’t challenge existing norms, if it doesn’t provoke thought or make certain people uncomfortable, is it even doing its job?”
The actor, who plays a morally complex fixer navigating the dirty underbelly of power and family in Rana Naidu, is aware that such roles invite scrutiny. But to him, that discomfort is a necessary part of progress. “You can’t grow as a society if every piece of art has to be sanitized and simplified. Great cinema has always sparked debate. Whether it was parallel films in the 70s or today’s OTT storytelling — art must reflect reality, and reality isn’t always palatable.”
Rana also pointed out the double standards audiences sometimes display. “We applaud international series that are far more explicit, raw, or even disturbing. But when Indian creators explore similar themes, we’re quick to label them as offensive or vulgar. That hypocrisy is frustrating. Why should Indian creators be boxed into safe, feel-good content?”
Despite the negativity, Rana insists that backlash isn’t always bad. “Sometimes criticism means we’ve touched a nerve. That’s powerful. It starts a conversation. And even if not everyone agrees with what we’re doing, at least they’re talking about it. Silence would be worse.”
He also credited streaming platforms for giving artists the freedom to explore unconventional stories. “OTT has changed the game. It has given space for narratives that mainstream cinema would never touch. Rana Naidu is one of those stories — gritty, flawed, human. It’s messy because life is messy.”
Looking ahead, Rana remains committed to telling bold, layered stories — ones that make people think, argue, and even get uncomfortable. “I’d rather be part of something that sparks dialogue than something forgettable,” he said.
As Rana Naidu Season 2 inches closer to its release, fans can expect more morally grey characters, deeper family dynamics, and no-holds-barred storytelling. And as far as online criticism goes, Rana Daggubati is clear: “Art isn’t meant to be safe. It’s meant to be honest. And honesty, by nature, will always ruffle a few feathers.”
