‘Not defenceless’: Iran uses Telugu movie clip to mock Trump's 'annihilate' threat

Iran has responded to US President Donald Trump’s threat to “annihilate” the Islamic Republic with a scene from Telugu superstar Nandamuri Balakrishna’s 2023 action film Bhagavanth Kesari.The Iranian Embassy in Zimbabwe shared a 58-second clip from the film on X, shortly after Trump made the threat during his address to the United Nations General Assembly on September 22.“Trump talks about annihilating Iran. But he knows Iran is not defenceless,” the embassy wrote alongside the video. The post also said Trump and his administration had “recently been watching Bollywood instead of Hollywood”.The clip shows Balakrishna’s character surrounded by armed attackers. As gunmen open fire, he uses a large manhole cover as a shield before preparing to retaliate with gas cylinders.The dramatic film sequence appeared to be used by the embassy to underline its message that Iran would not be defenceless in the face of a US attack.There was also a notable error in the embassy’s post. Bhagavanth Kesari is not a Bollywood film but a Telugu-language action drama. Directed by Anil Ravipudi, the 2023 film stars Balakrishna alongside Kajal Aggarwal, Sreeleela and Arjun Rampal.What did Trump say?Trump had warned Iran during his UNGA speech that he faced a choice between reaching a deal that would allow the country to rebuild and “annihilate the Islamic Republic” if no agreement was reached.“Or do I annihilate the Islamic Republic and do it quickly, never giving them a chance to kill and destroy people and countries again? Do I drive them into hell with no chance of survival?” Trump said.Trump also indicated that he expected a possible agreement with Iran after the US midterm elections in November.Iran condemns Trump’s remarksIranian military authorities condemned Trump’s remarks, describing the US president’s statements and repeated threats as “merely a tool for domestic propaganda”.The comments came as US and Iranian officials continued indirect contacts over a possible deal.Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and US special envoy Steve Witkoff held a three-hour discussion through mediators in New York, with Qatar helping facilitate the contacts. Witkoff described the discussions as “constructive and promising”.The talks also involved the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil shipments.You use AI every day. Now get your AI Quotient. Take the AIQ test.