“Aura of Ustaad,” the second single from Ustaad Bhagat Singh, starring Pawan Kalyan, was released recently. Director Harish Shankar used the song as a tribute to Pawan Kalyan’s signature style and mannerisms, which thrilled fans.

The lyrical video also featured glimpses from Pawan Kalyan’s political journey, sparking speculation about whether the film would include political undertones or dialogues targeting the YSR Congress Party.

Addressing these discussions, Harish Shankar released a clarification video. He stated that Pawan Kalyan had clearly instructed him to keep politics and cinema separate. “That’s why his films feature actors like Prakash Raj despite ideological differences. There will be no dialogues or references targeting anyone in this film. Pawan Kalyan has fans across political parties. However, there will be powerful lines like ‘Gaaju Glass’ to elevate the hero,” Harish Shankar explained.

His clarification has brought relief to many who were concerned about overt political messaging in the film. In recent years, there has been growing debate about mixing political references with commercial cinema. Some filmmakers have chosen to avoid such elements entirely, focusing instead on storytelling and mass appeal. For instance, director Sujeeth ensured that OG stayed away from direct political references, which was widely appreciated by fans.

Ustaad Bhagat Singh has been under production for a long time and faced multiple delays due to various factors. In the meantime, Harish Shankar released Mr Bachchan, which did not perform well at the box office. With that setback behind him, the director is now hoping for a strong comeback with this much-awaited project.

As expectations remain high, fans are eager to see whether Ustaad Bhagat Singh delivers purely as a mass entertainer, keeping politics aside as promised.