Director Harish Shankar Hits Back at Trolls Over 'Ustaad' Collections

The film Ustaad Bhagat Singh, starring Power Star Pawan Kalyan and directed by Harish Shankar, was released on March 19, 2026, as an Ugadi special. Despite high expectations after their blockbuster Gabbar Singh, the movie has received mixed responses at the box office.

Reacting to the criticism and trolling on social media, Harish Shankar addressed the issue during a recent interaction with fans. He stated that he does not take trolls seriously.

Trolls don’t even have the courage to reveal their real identities. I take responsibility for everything I say, but there’s no need to value comments made by people hiding behind anonymity. If I had taken them seriously, I would have left social media long ago, he said.

Sharing a personal note, he mentioned that even his own parents initially doubted his decision to become a director. He added that completing the film despite multiple challenges and releasing it on time is a major achievement for him.

Harish Shankar expressed confidence that the audience is appreciating the film and said he is satisfied with the final output. He also warned that those crossing limits with abusive comments will be blocked and may face legal action if necessary.