Tirupati Laddu Controversy: Karthi Apologizes to Pawan Kalyan

The controversy surrounding the Tirupati laddu, a famed religious offering in India, has drawn the attention of actors and politicians, resulting in an exchange between Tamil actor Karthi and Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan. The incident began when Karthi commented on the laddu during a promotional event in Hyderabad on September 23, 2024.

During the event, a meme was presented to Karthi, prompting him to humorously remark that discussing laddus was not advisable due to its sensitivity, stating, “Ippudu laddu gurinchi maatladakodadu, it’s a sensitive topic manakoddadi.” His comments sparked a reaction from Pawan Kalyan, who publicly censured the actor and advised restraint from the film industry when addressing such serious matters.

While speaking to the media in Vijayawada on September 24, Pawan Kalyan expressed his dissatisfaction with Karthi’s remarks. He emphasized the importance of respectful discourse regarding religious topics and implored individuals from the film sector to either support the issue or refrain entirely from commenting. Pawan Kalyan further advised, “Don’t you ever dare to say that,” reinforcing the gravity of the matter.

Following Pawan Kalyan’s comments, Karthi issued an apology through social media, which the Telugu actor-politician graciously acknowledged. This exchange occurred amidst Pawan Kalyan’s 11-day purification ritual, the ‘Prayaschitta Diksha,’ performed at the Kanaka Durga Temple due to allegations of adulteration in Tirumala’s Laddu Prasadam.

The controversy also prompted reactions from other members of the film industry, including actor Prakash Raj, who voiced concerns over Pawan Kalyan’s approach, suggesting that it could aggravate existing communal tensions. “We have enough communal tensions in the country,” Prakash Raj remarked, indicating the broader implications of the ongoing debate.