political controversy

Telugu superstar Nagarjuna has announced his intention to file a Rs 100 crore defamation suit against Telangana Congress leader Konda Surekha. This follows her controversial remarks linking the divorce of actors Samantha Ruth Prabhu and Naga Chaitanya to a political figure, which sparked outrage across the Telugu film industry. Konda Surekha’s comments, which implicated Telangana minister K.T. Rama Rao (KTR) as the cause of the couple’s 2021 separation, quickly drew sharp criticism. While she has since withdrawn her remarks and issued an apology to Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Nagarjuna, Naga Chaitanya’s father, rejected the apology, stating that his family had not received any acknowledgment or apology. Nagarjuna, who had already filed a criminal defamation lawsuit earlier, confirmed to Times Now that he is preparing another Rs 100-crore defamation suit. He expressed his frustration, saying, “The slander has gone far beyond just me and my family.” He added, “What about my family? Not a word of apology to me and to my family!” The actor also emphasized that the entertainment industry should no longer be a “soft target” for political gains, stating, “You can’t use our names for political gains. We in the entertainment industry won’t be soft targets anymore.” The controversy erupted when Surekha, during a political dispute, took the names of Samantha and Naga Chaitanya, linking their personal lives to political figures. The remarks triggered strong reactions from the Telugu film industry, with prominent figures showing solidarity with Nagarjuna and his family. As the row intensified, the Telangana Congress unit intervened, asking the film industry to move on from the controversy after Surekha retracted her statements. However, Nagarjuna’s defamation suit indicates that the matter is far from over. Despite Surekha’s apology, Nagarjuna remains resolute, stating that such actions should not be taken lightly, particularly when they involve personal and family matters. The lawsuit aims to send a clear message that such defamation will not be tolerated within the entertainment industry. Source: Deccan Herald