Director Sandeep Reddy Vanga on Wednesday, 4 November 2026, publicly pushed back against social media users who blamed his films for the chainsaw attack on two Class 10 students inside a classroom at Zilla Parishad High School in Raptadu, Anantapur district, Andhra Pradesh. The director posted a sharp rebuke on X (formerly Twitter), calling out what he described as opportunism masquerading as social concern.

What Vanga Said

In his post, Vanga wrote, “When someone commits a heinous crime, the first response should be empathy and an attempt to understand the larger problem. Not finding a convenient scapegoat in cinema.” He further alleged that the critics were motivated by personal grudges rather than genuine concern for victims: “It is becoming increasingly clear that your concern is not for the victims or their families, but that you’re using a horrific tragedy as a dirty excuse to settle your personal scores.”

Vanga did not stop at a general statement. He pointedly addressed a specific group, writing, “This is especially directed at those failed frustrated jobless male/female actors, few directors, producers & parasites, who suddenly appoint themselves as social reformers whenever an opportunity arises to take a dig at someone else’s work. A tragedy deserves empathy, not opportunism. Learn the difference.”

The Raptadu School Attack: What Happened

The incident that triggered the controversy involved a man who attacked a Class 10 girl student with an electric chainsaw inside her classroom at the Zilla Parishad High School in Raptadu, Anantapur district. According to officials, the student suffered severe injuries to her face, head, and throat, with deep wounds to her neck and abdomen. Her right hand was reportedly almost severed in the assault. A second girl who attempted to intervene was also seriously injured.

The attack shocked the nation and drew widespread condemnation from across society. The suspect was subsequently arrested by police. During the apprehension, the suspect was injured in police firing and reportedly lost his leg. As of the latest reports, the primary victim has been taken off a ventilator.

Cinema and Crime: The Blame Debate

The trolling directed at Vanga was part of a broader, recurring debate in India over whether violent or provocative cinema influences real-world criminal behaviour. Critics have periodically singled out directors whose films feature intense violence or morally complex male protagonists. This comes amid a wider conversation about the responsibility of storytellers in a country where film culture carries significant social weight. Vanga, known for films with unapologetically dark themes, has been a recurring target in such debates.

Notably, this is not the first time a high-profile crime has reignited arguments about cinematic influence, with filmmakers, sociologists, and law enforcement experts often divided on the question of causation versus correlation.

Reactions and What Comes Next

Vanga’s post drew significant engagement on X, with supporters backing his right to defend his work and critics arguing that public figures in cinema bear some responsibility for cultural impact. The debate is likely to continue as the Raptadu case moves through the legal process. Meanwhile, the focus from victims’ advocates remains on justice for the injured students and a broader examination of school safety protocols in Andhra Pradesh.