Balakrishna's Jibe at Chiranjeevi Hurts Ego, Megastar Hits Back

Hyderabad: Film actor and Telugu Desam Hindupur MLA Nandamuri Balakrishna on Thursday kicked up a row with certain “sarcastic” comments aimed against ‘mega star’ Chiranjeevi in the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly.

The comments have the potential to damage the smooth sailing of the TD-Jana Sena alliance: Chiranjeevi is not only elder brother of Jana Sena chief and AP Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, but they had also buried their decades-old rivalry in the 2024 elections to achieve the common goal of dislodging the YSR Congress government.

Balakrishna’s comments appeared to have hurt the ego of Chiranjeevi so much that the latter, who usually avoids public spats, quickly gave a rebuttal though he was away abroad.

Maintaining that he was reacting to Balakrishna’s “sarcastic comments”, Chiranjeevi in a press release stressed on his “natural habit” of being polite, whether it be with a Chief Minister or a common man, as he believed in mutual respect.

Clearly taking a dig at Balakrishna, who is popular for his aggressive behaviour and abusive language on public for a, Chiranjeevi reminded his rival actor that it was his intervention during the YSR Congress regime that helped Balakrishna reap benefits with enhanced ticket rates for his film ‘Veerasimha Reddy’.

Much to the discomfort of the ruling alliance, Chiranjeevi also gave credit to then Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, though indirectly, for resolving the ticket increase issue that eventually helped the film industry.

Trouble started during a debate on law and order in the AP Assembly when BJP MLA Kamineni Srinivas referred to film industry representatives meeting with Jagan Mohan Reddy. Accusing Reddy of insulting the delegation, which had included Chiranjeevi, the MLA said that but for Chiranjeevi insisting on meeting the then CM with all the delegates, they all would have been re-directed to the then cinematography minister.

Balakrishna immediately intervened and dismissed the BJP MLA’s contention. Sunglasses perched on his head, and standing casually with hands in his pockets, Balakrishna clearly communicated that he was not happy over the MLA giving credit to Chiranjeevi for pulling off the meeting. He even indicated that Chiranjeevi was never firm with Jagan Mohan Reddy.

The incident also brought to light that all was not well between Balakrishna and the Jana Sena minister Kandula Durgesh-run cinematography ministry. Balakrishna took strong exception to the Film Development Corporation putting his name in the ninth position in the list of delegates who were invited for some meeting.

Balakrishna also kicked up another controversy calling Jagan Mohan Reddy “psycho gadu” on the floor of the House even as Deputy Speaker K. Raghu Rama Krishna Raju was seen smiling along with several other TD members. “Very good” was all the Deputy Speaker said when Balakrishna concluded his remarks, stating that he wanted to clarify on BJP MLA’s observations.