Tollywood Slams Surekha For Comments On Akkinenis

Forest and Endowments Minister Konda Surekha's comments about the divorce of celebrity couple Naga Chaitanya and Samantha Ruth Prabhu drew widespread criticism from both the film industry and the political circles.

Although the minister apologized to the actors and their families, her remarks ignited a major controversy. Several prominent Tollywood stars, including Chiranjeevi, Mahesh Babu, Junior NTR, Allu Arjun and Nani, strongly condemned her comments and emphasized the importance of respecting privacy.

Surekha had alleged that BRS leader K T Rama Rao was responsible for the couple's separation. Both Samantha and Naga Chaitanya publicly addressed the claim, firmly denying any political involvement in their decision to part ways.

The film industry widely criticized her statement as inappropriate. Senior IAS officer Smita Sabharwal too condemned the minister's derogatory remarks about Samantha.

Naga Chaitanya's stepmother Amala Akkineni strongly responded to Surekha's comments and appealed to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. She said, "Mr. Rahul Gandhiji, if you believe in human decency, please restrain your politicians and have your minister retract her venomous statements with an apology to my family. Protect the citizens of this country."

The Telangana State Women's Commission addressed the controversy, saying that it had closely examined the minister's remarks about Samantha. The Commission added that if the minister had not issued an unconditional apology, it would have taken stricter action, and that no further involvement by the Commission was unnecessary. It also said that Nagarjuna issuing legal notices to the minister was a personal matter.