Kajol Calls Ramoji Film City ‘Absolutely Safe for Families and Children’ After Backlash Over ‘Haunted’ Comment

Kajol recently landed in hot water while promoting her upcoming horror film Maa, after referring to Hyderabad’s Ramoji Film City as a “haunted” place during an interview. Her comment quickly sparked criticism on social media, prompting the actor to issue a clarification.

In a recent post on X (formerly Twitter), Kajol addressed the backlash and praised the studio, calling it a “great destination” for both filmmakers and tourists.

“I wish to address my earlier remark about Ramoji Film City in the context of promoting my film Maa,” she wrote. “I have filmed multiple projects at Ramoji Film City and stayed there many times over the years. I have always found it to be a very professional environment for filmmaking and I have seen so many tourists enjoying themselves. It’s a great destination and absolutely safe for families and children.”

The controversy began after Kajol’s interview with Galatta India, where she was asked if she had ever experienced “negative energy” while filming. The actor responded, “I have experienced this multiple times. Call it negative energy or vibes, but sometimes, when you go to a place, you feel like something isn’t right. I’ve shot at places where I couldn’t sleep all night, where I felt it would be good if I could just leave this place. A prime example is Ramoji Rao Studios in Hyderabad, which is considered one of the most haunted places in the world. I am lucky enough not to have seen anything, though.”

Her remarks didn’t sit well with many fans and followers online, especially those familiar with Ramoji Film City’s reputation as a popular and family-friendly tourist spot.

Maa, directed by Vishal Furia, is set to hit theatres on June 27. The film is produced by Ajay Devgn, Jyoti Deshpande, and Kumar Mangat Pathak, and is presented by Jio Studios in association with Devgn Films.