India, June 18 -- Filmmaker Raghavendra Rao attended the movie launch of Anil Ravipudi's next film with Venkatesh, Kalyanram Nandamuri, Keerthy Suresh and Krithi Shetty. The 84-year-old veteran was invited to direct the film's first shot. A moment in which he grabbed the female actors' arms to direct them has drawn flak on social media.

Anil's yet-to-be-titled film was launched on Thursday in Hyderabad. Producer Allu Aravind delivered the first clap while Raghavendra directed the first shot. Producers Dil Raju, Suresh Babu and others were also present at the event.

Anil later posted pictures of the launch on social media, writing, "Nothing gives me greater joy than entertaining audiences in theatres. With immense happiness, gratitude, a...