In global political forums and diplomatic communications, generally only stern statements and conventional language are used. But the Iran Consulate in Hyderabad, which is responsible for Andhra and Telangana, has adopted a new diplomatic approach by using mass scenes from Indian cinema to bring international affairs closer to the Indian public. Their use of a scene from the film 'Baahubali' to explain the speech delivered by the Iranian president at the United Nations General Assembly has drawn worldwide attention.
What happened?
On September 23, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian addressed the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York. Amid ongoing tensions with the United States and Western countries, he said, "Our country is ready for negotiations; but it will not yield to any threats or obstacles. We will not bow to anyone."
Quoting this text, the Iranian Embassy in Hyderabad posted on its official 'X' page: "Dr. Pezeshkian, President of I.R Iran at UNGA: 'Will never bow our head or bend the knee' — Like Baahubali standing against the Kalakeyas, we also shed our own blood in sacrifice for the homeland."
(Iranian President Dr. Pezeshkian at the UN General Assembly: 'We will never bow our heads.' Like Baahubali standing against the Kalakeyas, we too will shed our blood in sacrifice for the homeland.)
Dr. Pezeshkian, President of I.R #Iran at UNGA: "Will never bow our head or bend the knee"
— Iran In Hyderabad (@IraninHyderabad) September 27, 2026
Like Baahubali standing against the Kalakeyas, we also shed our own blood in sacrifice for the homeland. pic.twitter.com/xc1S9H346Q
With this post, they had included a climactic battle video clip from the first part of the film 'Baahubali,' in which Amarendra Baahubali (Prabhas) leads his troops and scatters the enemy 'Kalakeya' forces.
In the film, the Kalakeyas are portrayed as a brutal foreign army that comes to invade the kingdom of Mahishmati. The Iranian Embassy’s comparison of the United States and its allies to the Kalakeyas in the film, and itself to Baahubali defending his homeland, has sparked debate among internet users.
This is not the first time. Just a few days ago, in a political matter related to America, the Iranian Embassy had shared an action scene from Telugu actor Nandamuri Balakrishna. The Iranian Embassy’s repeated use of Telugu cinema heroes has left South Indian cinema fans surprised.
In this film, there is a scene where a foreign trader sells a “Persian sword” to the character Kattappa. “Baahubali and Iran had a connection even then,” netizens have recalled that historical link.
Some people are posting, “The Iranian embassy’s social media admin is showing off big-time,” while others are posting, “In international politics, comparing Western countries to the Kauravas is bold.” Still others are jokingly commenting, “They could have just kept the original Telugu audio,” and “In the end, it’s Kattappa who will kill Baahubali!”
At a time when pressures and economic sanctions are intensifying on the global political stage, Iran has expressed its stance and its message that it will not back down through a grand South Indian cinema blockbuster-style display designed to capture the attention of local people. Breaking away from traditional diplomatic style, this strategy of speaking politics through pop culture and cinema has emerged as a new trend in the modern digital world.