The controversy triggered by Telugu Desam Party MLA and senior actor Nandamuri Balakrishna’s unsavoury remarks in the state assembly and megastar Chiranjeevi’s strong rebuttal has snowballed into a major storm, prompting elders in the Telugu film industry to intervene and try to calm tempers.
According to sources, TDP president and Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has reached out to senior figures in the film industry to ensure the issue does not spiral into a full-fledged fan war.
With YSRCP leaders attempting to exploit the controversy for political mileage, the ruling alliance has come under pressure to manage the situation.
“That is precisely why Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan and his brother, MLC Nagababu, have so far maintained silence. Since Balakrishna is a coalition leader and Chiranjeevi is his brother, Pawan is said to be weighing his response carefully. Any statement from them could only add fuel to the fire,” sources explained.
Meanwhile, Chiranjeevi’s fans have begun mobilising. Meetings condemning Balakrishna’s behaviour have already been held, and a larger gathering is planned for Sunday at the Chiranjeevi Blood Bank to register their protest.
They are also preparing further demonstrations in the coming days, demanding an apology from Balakrishna.
Naidu has reportedly asked industry elders to defuse the situation, with back-channel efforts now underway.
Whether these attempts succeed in cooling tempers or whether the row takes a fresh turn will become clearer in the next couple of days.
