Nagarjuna Akkineni has initiated legal action against Telangana Minister Konda Surekha over her comments regarding the divorce of his son, Naga Chaitanya, from actress Samantha Ruth Prabhu. The comments made by Konda Surekha, a political figure, stirred controversy by linking the couple’s separation to external political interference, which the Akkineni family has strongly condemned.
The controversy began when Konda Surekha alleged that Minister K. T. Rama Rao (KTR), a prominent figure in Telangana, played a role in the couple’s separation. She claimed that KTR had requested Samantha to visit the N-Convention Centre, owned by Nagarjuna, as a gesture to prevent its demolition. When Samantha refused, the strained situation led to their separation, according to Surekha’s statement. This claim was met with immediate backlash from the Akkineni family, who have called the allegations baseless and defamatory.
The N-Convention Centre, located in Hyderabad, became the focal point of the issue when the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Assets Monitoring and Protection Agency (HYDRAA) partially demolished the property in August 2024, citing encroachments on lake buffer zones. Although Nagarjuna secured a stay order from the High Court to halt further demolition, the incident has drawn significant media attention and speculation. Surekha’s comments about using Samantha as a bargaining tool to prevent the demolition have only fueled the controversy.
In response to these allegations, Nagarjuna took to X (formerly Twitter), condemning Surekha’s comments and asserting that they were entirely false. He stated that the accusations were irrelevant and baseless, adding that the personal matters of movie stars should not be used as leverage for political gains. He expressed his disappointment that a public figure of Surekha’s standing would make such statements and urged her to withdraw them immediately.
Naga Chaitanya also issued a statement, describing the comments as “ridiculous” and dismissing the claims as baseless gossip. He emphasized that the decision to end his marriage with Samantha was a mutual one, made after much consideration, and was not influenced by any external factors. He clarified that he and Samantha parted ways amicably due to differences in their personal goals and aspirations.
Samantha Ruth Prabhu, who was also mentioned in the allegations, has refrained from making any direct statements regarding Surekha’s claims. However, she has previously addressed the divorce, stating that it was a mutual decision, and she maintains respect for Naga Chaitanya and his family.
The Akkineni family’s decision to take legal action against Surekha reflects their intent to protect their family’s reputation and put an end to what they see as politically motivated slander. They have engaged legal counsel to issue a formal notice to Konda Surekha, demanding that she withdraw her statements and issue a public apology. Minister KTR, who was also dragged into the controversy, has reportedly taken legal steps to ensure that his name is not misused for political agendas.
The Telugu Film Chamber has also expressed its support for the Akkineni family, condemning the use of personal family matters for political purposes. Several prominent figures from the Telugu film industry, including Allu Arjun, Chiranjeevi, and Nani, have spoken out in solidarity with the Akkineni family, calling for the issue to be resolved with dignity and respect for everyone involved.
This legal move by the Akkineni family highlights the growing trend of celebrities taking a stand against defamatory statements and misinformation spread in the media, particularly when it involves sensitive personal matters. With the issue now in the legal domain, it remains to be seen how Konda Surekha will respond and whether this will lead to any further political ramifications.
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