Prabhas and Hanu Raghavapudi's upcoming film 'Fauji' is once again in the news, but this time due to controversy. A simple post made for the film's actress, Imanvi's birthday, sparked a deep debate and criticism on social media.
Entertainment News: Prabhas's film 'Fauji' continues to make headlines. First, there was news of the actor getting injured on the film's set, then the entry of Abhishek Bachchan into the cast further fueled discussions. But now, the film has become the center of attention on social media for a different reason. Imanvi has been cast opposite Prabhas in director Hanu Raghavapudi's film. Recently, on October 13, on the occasion of 29-year-old Imanvi's birthday, the makers shared a birthday post on social media. Instantly, controversy erupted in the comment section of this post.
Social media users claim that Imanvi's real name is Iman Iqbal Ismail and that she is allegedly of Pakistani origin. This information quickly went viral, and some people began raising objections. However, the film team has not yet issued any official statement on the matter.
Makers Trolled Over Birthday Post
On October 13, the film's makers posted a birthday wish for Imanvi on Instagram. Immediately, several users in the post's comment section alleged that Imanvi's real name is Iman Iqbal Ismail and that she is allegedly of Pakistani origin. Some users even claimed that the actress changed her name to avoid controversy among Indian audiences.
Many internet users claimed that Imanvi's old social media accounts featured a Pakistani flag emoji, which was later removed. Additionally, some people are also saying that Imanvi is allegedly the daughter of a Pakistani army officer.
Imanvi Had Issued Clarification Before
Earlier, in April 2025, Imanvi had faced similar allegations after the Pahalgam incident. At that time, she refuted these allegations through an emotional post on Instagram. Imanvi wrote that her family has no connection with the Pakistani army and that all these claims are false and baseless. She clarified that the rumors spread against her are aimed at spreading hatred and dividing people.
In her post, Imanvi also stated that she is an Indian American and that her Indian heritage is in her blood. She mentioned that she was born in Los Angeles, California, and her parents moved to America in their youth. She further added that after completing her university education in America, she pursued her passion for art and became an actress, choreographer, and dancer. Imanvi clarified that Indian cinema is an important part of her life and her identity will always remain Indian.
'Fauji's Controversial Journey
'Fauji' has been the subject of discussion even before this. Reports surfaced about Prabhas sustaining an injury on the film's set. The announcement of Abhishek Bachchan's casting also made headlines in the media for the film. Now, the controversy surrounding Imanvi's birthday post has stirred up social media. The film is being produced under the banner of Mythri Movie Makers and is scheduled for release in August 2026.
