Following Surekha’s comments on their personal matter, Prabhu and Chaitanya spoke out against the minister, stating that their decision to separate was mutual. (Image: X and News18)
Congress leader had withdrew her statement and apologised to the actors for her remarks, stating that her comments were directed at BRS leader KTR, who had humiliated her
Hours after retracting her statements about the divorce of actors Samantha Ruth Prabhu and Naga Chaitanya, Telangana Environment Minister and Congress leader Konda Surekha commented again, saying that no one knows why the couple parted ways. She also claimed that her earlier remarks were based on “internal sources” from the film industry.
“Whatever I have said is wrong but till today no one knows why Naga Chaitanya and Samatha parted ways, did they ever clarify on that. Whatever I have said it was based on our internal sources from the film industry,” Surekha said on Thursday.
She further added: “I may have reacted angrily but whatever I have said is the truth. I have not hidden anything. I won’t spare KTR.”
Earlier today, the Congress leader withdrew her statement and apologised to the actors for her remarks, stating that her comments were directed at BRS working president KTR, who had humiliated her.
The minister further noted that she said she had to take the names of the actors after she became emotional over the comments made by the BRS leader about her.
No personal animosity towards anyone: Surekha
Earlier today, the Congress leader withdrew her statement and apologised to the actors for her remarks, explaining that her comments were aimed at BRS working president KT Rama Rao, who had humiliated her. The minister further noted that she mentioned the actors’ names after becoming emotional over the comments made by Rao about her.
“I had to criticise him (K T Rama Rao). I do not have any personal animosity towards anyone. Taking the name of a family was inadvertent. I felt really bad after seeing her tweet (Samantha’s Instagram). Last night itself, I posted a message unconditionally withdrawing my comments,” she said.
The controversy
The controversy began when Surekha blamed BRS leader KT Rama Rao for the divorce of actors Samantha Ruth Prabhu and Naga Chaitanya, claiming that Samantha had refused a political favour that contributed to the separation. “KTR asked to send Samantha in return for not demolishing the N-convention centre. Nagarjuna forced Samantha to go to KTR, but she said no. That led to divorce,” Surekha had said.
Following Surekha’s comments on their personal matter, Samantha and Naga Chaitanya spoke out against the minister, stating that their decision to separate was mutual.
In response, Telugu superstar Nagarjuna Akkineni, Chaitanya’s father, filed a criminal and defamation case against Surekha. He had condemned her remarks and asked her “not to use the lives of movie stars who stay away from politics to criticise your opponents.”
Defamation suits follow
In a complaint filed in Hyderabad’s Nampally district, Nagarjuna alleged that Surekha, while “fully aware” of the false nature of her statements, “deliberately spread these allegations with the sole intention of damaging the complainant’s personal, professional, and familial reputation.”
Chaitanya also shared a photo of the complaint on his social media platform, X. The former couple received support from colleagues in the Telugu film industry, including Allu Arjun, Jr NTR, Chinmayi Sripada, Nani, Venkatesh, Prakash Raj, and many others.
Additionally, KT Rama Rao sent a legal notice to Surekha on Wednesday, demanding that she retract her statement and issue a public apology within 24 hours. He warned that failure to comply would result in legal action, including defamation and criminal charges.
The former minister accused Surekha of using the names of prominent South Indian actors to further her political agenda. The BRS described her remarks about KTR as “uncouth,” “cheap,” and “disgusting.”
(With inputs from agencies)
