Bichagadu hero Vijay Antony landed in controversy over the Telugu title of one of his upcoming films, which he also produced. The issue arose when the team used the original title Pookie without checking how it sounded in Telugu, where it carried a vulgar meaning.
The team even released posters with that title, which sparked immediate backlash. Embarrassed by the response, the makers quickly renamed the film Bookie and unveiled a new poster. Though earlier versions were deleted online, screenshots continue to circulate on social media.
This controversy highlights a recurring problem in the dubbing industry. Many producers, in their rush to brand films as “pan-India,” retain Tamil or Malayalam titles without adapting them for Telugu audiences, often leading to awkward or meaningless names.
While some titles manage to work, many do not connect with local viewers. Films like Thangalaan, Valimai, Vettaiyan, and Empuraan released in Telugu with names that held little meaning. Shockingly, an upcoming film is titled Retta Thala, which sounds offensive in Telugu.
In the past, dubbing producers gave importance to titles and ensured they resonated with the audience. Today, that care appears missing, with makers forcing alien-sounding names on viewers. This “take it or leave it” approach ignores nativity and cultural relevance.
