Shoot, slap, abuse and yet get away

Being powerful usually translates to being untouchable. This also seems to be the case with Nandamuri Balakrishna, one of the most powerful actors in the Telugu film industry. No stranger to controversy, Balayya, as he is fondly called, is notorious for his temperamental behaviour how can we forget his slapping spree and sexist remarks! 

He walks away scot free each time considering he is the son of legendary actor NT Rama Rao, who was not only a powerful person in his community but also served as Chief Minister. As a result, Balayya too enjoys huge fan support. Not to forget, his brother-in-law is N. Chandrababu Naidu, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh.

N.T. Rama Rao was considered to be a highly disciplined person and in his early days in cinema, Balayya too was disciplined. But that’s a story of the past. Today, the actor is always in the news for the wrong reasons and thanks to his connections at high places, he manages to get away with it too. 

Infamous acts:
Few years ago, Balakrishna went on a shooting spree at his home. He reportedly took his gun and shot at a producer. He even shot an astrologer. After a few days of high drama, the buzz surrounding the incident subsided.  Interestingly, no one gave a case against the actor and the astrologer’s whereabouts are still unknown. At that time, YSR Reddy of the Congress was the Chief Minister and it is believed that Balayya walked away due to Chandrababu Naidu's influence. 

Another time, a security guard of the actor was found murdered on the lawns of his home. The official version is that the guard was killed while fighting off two robbers who entered the home. There was no follow up about this suspicious case either. 

The actor’s sexist comments caused a huge uproar with women’s organisations demanding a case to be filed against him. He had reportedly said “My fans will be happy if I kiss a woman or make her pregnant.” Though he later apologised, no case was filed. Interestingly, people from the industry even dismissed his comments by saying that’s how he usually talks. 

A highly publicised incident was when the actor was caught on video slapping his assistant while shooting for Jai Simha. In the video, he’s also seen forcing the assistant to tie his shoelaces. This viral video too didn’t elicit any comments from industry bigwigs. 

Notorious for slapping people, the next person he slapped was a party worker during an election meeting in Kurnool. In fact, in the last year he has been reported to slap fans or party workers at least thrice. 
Interestingly, there are many who condone his behaviour. In fact, his supporters feel the slapping is a gift to the fans. 

Netizens call him Loony
Actor-politician Balakrishna thought his dramatic speech in Hindi will shake the Prime Minister Narender Modi. Instead, not just the BJP cadre, but netizens too seriously suspect he has a mental issue!

AP CM Naidu’s brother-in-law and party MLA Balakrishna speaks like a lunatic. What is the kind of language he uses? Does he have sense? I think he needs to be treated for mental illness!
Sudhish Rambhotla, BJP

He had a Murder case against him for using  revolver and in court his lawyers said he is mentally unfit (sic)
Pidi Media

PM said in London that abuse and criticism give him energy .. this guy took it very serious... don’t suppose to take it so serious...everyone know that he is feku (sic) Kaishlesh Bank

He can’t even speak Hindi fluently ..Nobody cares him to be honest... He holds the record of slapping most number of his fans for asking for selfies... Major apprehension is he doesn’t speak with sense...
Ashwin