Actor Chiranjeevi sparked controversy after expressing his disappointment over not having a grandson during a film launch event in Hyderabad on Tuesday. While the Telugu actor’s seemingly playful comments drew laughs from the audience, social media users lambasted him for his “misogynistic” remarks.

The 69-year-old said, “When I’m at home, it doesn’t feel like I’m surrounded by my granddaughters; it feels like I’m a ladies’ hostel warden. I keep wishing and telling (son, actor) Ram Charan, ‘At least this time, have a boy so that our legacy continues.’”

He added, “But his daughter is the apple of his eye... I’m scared that he might again have a girl.” Ram (39) and his wife, entrepreneur Upasana Konidela (35) welcomed their daughter Klin Kaara, after 11 years of marriage. Meanwhile, Chiranjeevi’s daughters, Sreeja and Sushmita Konidela, have two daughters each.

Reacting to Chiranjeevi’s comments, one X user wrote, “Very sad use of words by Chiranjeevi garu. Girls carry the legacy forward the same as boys do or even better. Comments like these take us backwards (sic).” Another fan’s post read, “Your recent statement came across as misogynistic... Are you uncomfortable with the possibility of your son and daughter-in-law having another girl child? Or was it ‘remark’ made in ‘jest’?”

Interestingly, while announcing Klin Kaara’s birth in June 2023, the actor had called her a “little mega princess”.