24 January 2023
Hyderabad

Speaking at Veera Simhuni Vijayotsavam celebrations over the weekend in Hyderabad, Nata Simham Nandamuri Balakrishna’s particular comment referring the legendary Akkineni Nageswara Rao didn’t go well with the fans of Akkineni who expressed their unhappiness on various social media platforms since yesterday morning. Referring to one of the guests on the podium during his speech, Balayya said, “If he is there on sets, I would pass time easily discussing shastras, dad, dialogues, this Rangarao, Ee Akkineni Thokkineni.” The Thokkineni observation drew the ire of Akkineni fans, who demanded an apology from Balayya.

While the fans of Akkineni expected Nagarjuna to retort, it was Naga Chaitanya and Akhil who issued statements over the whole episode on Tuesday, trying to put a lid over it. Stating that #ANRLivesOn, both Chay and Akhil posted on Twitter: “Nandamuri Taraka Ramarao garu, Akkineni Nageswara Rao garu and SV Ranga Rao garu’s creative contributions have been the pride and pillars of Telugu Cinema. Disrespecting them is degrading ourselves.”