A political firestorm has erupted after Telangana Minister Konda Surekha made explosive claims linking actress Samantha Ruth Prabhu‘s high-profile divorce from Naga Chaitanya to a conspiracy involving Bharat Rashtra Samiti (BRS) leader KT Rama Rao. The minister’s comments have sparked outrage, prompting furious responses from top actors and the Akkineni family. The backlash has set social media ablaze, with stars refusing to remain silent over what they deem a vicious political stunt.
Minister’s Allegations Stir the Pot
Konda Surekha, in a shocking statement, suggested that KT Rama Rao, who held a key political role at the time, was responsible for Samantha and Naga Chaitanya’s divorce. She accused him of tapping the phones of actresses and using their personal lives against them, claiming he even forced them into drug addiction to manipulate and blackmail them.
“It was KT Rama Rao who caused Samantha’s divorce,” Surekha alleged. “He used to tap their phones, find their weaknesses, and blackmail them. Everyone knows this – Samantha, Naga Chaitanya, and his family are all aware.”
The minister’s remarks left many reeling, with accusations of political motives and a disturbing invasion of privacy shaking the Telugu film industry.
Samantha Fires Back: “No Politics in My Divorce”
Samantha Ruth Prabhu wasted no time responding to the controversy. Taking to Instagram, she firmly denied the claims, emphasizing that her divorce from Chaitanya was a mutual, amicable decision made without any political interference.
“This is a deeply personal matter,” Samantha said. “There is no truth to these wild conspiracy theories. I ask everyone to stop dragging my personal life into baseless political dramas.”
Her statement added fuel to the fire, as fans and fellow actors rallied in her defence, demanding accountability for the minister’s comments.
The Akkineni Family Joins the Fray
Naga Chaitanya, whose silence up until this point was notable, also issued a strong response, calling the allegations “ridiculous and unacceptable.”
“The claim made by Konda Surekha is not only false but outrageous,” Chaitanya stated. “Exploiting our personal lives for cheap headlines is shameful. Women deserve respect, and my family will not tolerate such defamation.”
His father, Nagarjuna Akkineni, a legendary figure in the Telugu film industry, was equally outraged. In a fiery post on X (formerly Twitter), Nagarjuna lambasted the minister, urging her to retract her statements immediately.
“As a public figure, you should know better than to make baseless accusations. Keep movie stars, who are far removed from politics, out of your battles. Your comments are irrelevant and false. I demand a retraction,” Nagarjuna wrote.
Adding his voice to the uproar, Akhil Akkineni, Chaitanya’s brother, shared his mother’s statement, fiercely defending the family’s honor. “This is nonsense, and we won’t stand by while sociopaths try to tarnish our name,” he posted.
Celebrities Unite in Outrage
The controversy has galvanized some of the biggest names in Indian cinema, with top stars coming forward to slam the minister’s reckless words.
NT Rama Rao Jr. (Jr. NTR), star of the global blockbuster “RRR,” called out Konda Surekha for dragging personal lives into political mudslinging. “This is a new low,” Jr. NTR said. “Public figures, especially those in responsible positions, should maintain dignity. It’s disheartening to see baseless statements thrown around carelessly. We will not sit quietly while our industry is targeted for cheap political gain.”
Not to be left out, “Pushpa” actor Allu Arjun issued a scathing post using the hashtag #FilmIndustryWillNotTolerate. His message urged respect for privacy and condemned the use of personal lives as political ammunition.
“This behavior goes against our values as a culture. Film personalities deserve the same respect and privacy as everyone else. Such irresponsible actions should not be normalized,” Allu Arjun wrote.
The outrage continued with actor Nani, who didn’t mince words. “It’s disgusting to see politicians thinking they can get away with talking any kind of nonsense. When those in power can be so irresponsible, what hope is there for the people they’re supposed to represent?” Nani fumed on social media.
The Backlash: What Now?
The storm surrounding Konda Surekha’s controversial comments shows no signs of settling. The minister has since issued a clarification, claiming her remarks were misunderstood and aimed at highlighting issues of women’s dignity, not attacking Samantha personally. However, she still stands accused of stirring the pot for political leverage.
As the outrage simmers, one thing is clear: The Telugu film industry will not remain silent while its stars’ private lives are used as fodder for political games. With major stars leading the charge, this incident has become a flashpoint in a larger conversation about respect, privacy, and the reckless use of personal attacks in politics.
In a world where sensationalism often trumps truth, the film fraternity is drawing a line in the sand, ensuring that their lives and reputations are not sacrificed for political expediency.
