"My comments are meant to question a leader's belittling of women and not to hurt your sentiments. The way you (Samantha) have grown up with self-power is not only an admiration for me, but also an ideal," the minister tweeted addressing the actor after a massive outrage.
నా వ్యాఖ్యల ఉద్దేశం మహిళల పట్ల ఒక నాయకుడి చిన్నచూపు ధోరణిని ప్రశ్నించడమే కానీ మీ @Samanthaprabhu2 మనోభావాలను దెబ్బతీయడం కాదు.
— Konda surekha (@iamkondasurekha) October 2, 2024
స్వయం శక్తితో మీరు ఎదిగిన తీరు నాకు కేవలం అభిమానం మాత్రమే కాదు.. ఆదర్శం కూడా..
A host of stars such as Chiranjeevi, Nagarjuna, junior NTR, Venkatesh, Prakash Raj and Khushbu took strong exception to her remarks. Actress Samantha also took to social media and lashed out against the "baseless" allegations made by Konda Surekha. Meanwhile, veteran actor Nagarjuna and KT Rama Rao took the legal route and slapped the minister with legal notices on the remark they regard as "baseless".
What sparked the controversy?The controversy broke out after Telangana forest and environment minister Konda Surekha alleged BRS leader KTR's involvement in drug-related parties and claimed that he was responsible for Naga Chaitanya and Samantha Ruth Prabhu's divorce.
In a public press meet, Konda Surekha insinuated that politician KT Rama Rao (KTR) made a deal with actor Nagarjuna, involving Samantha Ruth Prabhu, to prevent the demolition of the N-Convention Centre. She claimed that when Samantha refused to comply, it led to her separation from Naga Chaitanya. Surekha also alleged that Nagarjuna pressured Samantha, but she declined.
“KTR is the reason why Naga Chaitanya and Samantha broke up in the first place. He has the habit of exploiting women and even heroines. He has gotten several heroines addicted to drugs. He even tapped their phones to get personal information. Doesn’t he have a mother, sister, and wife at home? Why doesn’t he respect and value women,” Konda Surekha said in the video that went viral on social media.
Tollywood's all-out against the minister's remarkVeteran actor Nagarjuna, who is also the father of Naga Chaitanya condemned Konda Surekha's remarks, labeling the accusations as false. He urged her to respect the privacy of individuals and avoid making baseless claims.
"I strongly condemn the comments of Honourable Minister Mrs Konda Surekha. Don't use the lives of movie stars who stay away from politics to criticise your opponents. Please respect other people's privacy. As a woman in a responsible position, your comments and accusations against our family are completely irrelevant and false. I request you to withdraw your comments immediately," he wrote on X.
గౌరవనీయ మంత్రివర్యులు శ్రీమతి కొండా సురేఖ గారి వ్యాఖ్యలని తీవ్రంగా ఖండిస్తున్నాను. రాజకీయాలకు దూరంగా ఉండే సినీ ప్రముఖుల జీవితాలని, మీ ప్రత్యర్ధులని విమర్శించేందుకు వాడుకోకండి. దయచేసి సాటి మనుషుల వ్యక్తిగత విషయాలని గౌరవించండి. బాధ్యత గలిగిన పదవి లో ఉన్న మహిళగా మీరు చేసిన…
— Nagarjuna Akkineni (@iamnagarjuna) October 2, 2024
Amala Akkineni expressed her displeasure over Konda Surekha's comments, calling the minister a "demon" and accusing her of "preying on decent citizens as fuel for a political war." She also appealed to Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition to prevent their ministers from making such "venomous statements." Amala also tagged Priyanka Gandhi in her post, demanding an apology to her family.
Shocked to hear a woman minister turn into a demon, conjuring evil fictions allegations, preying on decent citizens as fuel for a political war.
— Amala Akkineni (@amalaakkineni1) October 2, 2024
Madam Minister, do you rely and believe people with no decency to feed you utterly scandalous stories about my husband without an iota…
“Konda Surekha garu, dragging personal lives into politics is a new low. Public figures, especially those in responsible positions like you, must maintain dignity and respect for privacy. It’s disheartening to see baseless statements thrown around carelessly, especially about the film industry,” actor Jr NTR said.
Konda Surekha garu, dragging personal lives into politics is a new low. Public figures, especially those in responsible positions like you, must maintain dignity and respect for privacy. It’s disheartening to see baseless statements thrown around carelessly, especially about the…
— Jr NTR (@tarak9999) October 2, 2024
Meanwhile, Naga Chaitanya addressed the situation, stating that the decision to divorce his former partner, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, was a painful one. He dismissed Konda Surekha's allegations as "false, ridiculous, and unacceptable."
— chaitanya akkineni (@chay_akkineni) October 2, 2024
Actor Nani said it was "disgusting to see politicians thinking that they can get away with talking any kind of nonsense".
Disgusting to see politicians thinking that they can get away talking any kind of nonsense. When your words can be so irresponsible it’s stupid of us to expect that you will have any responsibility for your people. It’s not just about actors or cinema. This is not abt any…
— Nani (@NameisNani) October 2, 2024
Former Union minister and actor Chiranjeevi said he was "extremely pained to see the disgraceful remarks made by an honourable woman minister".
“It is a shame that celebs and members of the film fraternity become soft targets as they provide instant reach and attention. We, as the film industry, stand united in opposing such vicious verbal assaults on our members,” he said.
I am extremely pained to see the disgraceful remarks made by an honourable woman minister.
— Chiranjeevi Konidela (@KChiruTweets) October 3, 2024
It is a shame that celebs and members of film fraternity become soft targets as they provide instant reach and attention. We as Film Industry stand united in opposing such vicious verbal…
“We choose our leaders to make society a better place to live in, and not contaminate it by lowering the discourse. Politicians and people in honourable positions should set better examples,” he said.
Actress and BJP leader Khushbu Sundar also hit out at the remarks made by minister Konda Surekha. “I thought it was only those who need 2 minutes of fame and indulge in yellow journalism who speak this language. But here, I see an absolute disgrace to womanhood. Konda Surekha garu, I am sure some values were instilled in you. Where have they flown out of the window? A person in a responsible position cannot make such baseless, appalling, and degrading statements about my industry, my place of worship,” she said.
KTR and Nagarjuna send legal notice to ministerMeanwhile, BRS leader KTR and Nagarjuna Akkineni filed complaints against Telangana environment minister Konda Surekha's "defamatory (and) derogatory" remarks.
In the legal notice, KTR's counsel stated that he had been subjected to "scandalous attacks" as a result of Surekha's "vitriolic campaign," with the intent to harm his reputation.
