Under attack for her comments on the divorce of Samantha Ruth Prabhu and Naga Chaitanya, Telangana Minister Konda Surekha on Thursday withdrew her remarks. Naga Chaitanya’s father Akkineni Nagarjuna, who criticised the minister on Wednesday, has now filed a defamation case against Surekha. In his complaint, Nagarjuna has alleged that the minister’s remarks damaged his family’s reputation.

Telangana Minister Konda Surekha on Wednesday stirred up a major controversy by alleging that opposition BRS leader K T Rama Rao was the reason behind Samantha and Chaitanya’s divorce in 2021. Reacting strongly to her comments, many south actors criticized the leader.

The statements made by Konda Surekha garu are irresponsible and baseless. Making vulgar public comments about respected individuals is shocking coming from an elected leader who holds public office. This kind of slander aims to destroy the fundamentals of our society. The film fraternity is together and will not tolerate such reckless behaviour aimed at us. #FilmIndustryWillNotTolerate

- Ram Charan

Extremely pained by the comments made by Minister Konda Surekha garu on fellow members of our film fraternity. As a father of a daughter, as a husband to a wife and as son to a mother... I am deeply anguished by the unacceptable remarks and language used by a woman minister on another woman. Freedom of speech can be exercised as long as it does not hurt other’s sentiments. I strongly condemn the cheap and baseless comments made.

- Mahesh Babu

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. We will not sit quietly while others make baseless allegations against us.

- Jr NTR