Noted Telugu actors such as Nandamuri Kalyanram and Junior NTR have come out in support of Chandrababu Naidu, after the Telugu Desam Party leader broke down during a press conference claiming that ruling party MLAs passed indecent comments on his wife Bhuvaneshwari Nara in the Andhra Pradesh assembly.
On Friday, the TDP chief addressed the press and said that members of the ruling YSR Congress party targeted his wife and made derogatory remarks on her character. “My wife is very family-oriented and would come to (government) functions only as per protocols. She never interfered in party matters and her character was assassinated,” he added tearfully.
It is to be noted that Bhuvaneshwari is the daughter of late Telugu actor, filmmaker, and politician NT Rama Rao.
Naidu further vowed that he would only return to the assembly after the 2024 polls.
Following this, several noted film personalities from the NTR family expressed solidarity with Naidu and condemned the comments made about Bhunaveshwari.
Actor Jr NTR, the grandson of NTR, said in a video that while criticism is normal when discussing public issues, politicians should desist from making personal attacks. Stressing that it is not right to attack women, the actor pointed out that respecting women is part of Indian culture and one should not destroy that. “It is our responsibility to pass this culture on to future generations. I’m not saying this as a member of the family, but rather as a father, husband, and a citizen of this country,” he added.
Echoing Jr NTR’s views, another actor from the family, Nandamuri Kalyanram, shared a note that said, “The assembly is like a temple where discussions on public issues happen and solutions are found. There are many intelligent and educated people there. It is not right to talk about the personal life of someone who has nothing to do with politics in such a great place. This is not the right approach.”
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Actor-politician Nandamuri Balakrishna also condemned the statements made against Bhuvaneshwari.
Naidu’s nephew and actor-producer Nara Rohith was among those who expressed their disapproval.
Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh Information Minister Perni Venkatramaiah claimed that no one took the name of Naidu’s wife during the session and demanded proof that she was insulted. He further alleged that Naidu was creating “melodrama.”
(Translation inputs: Ananya Shankar)