Tirupati laddu row: Pawan Kalyan responds to Karthi’s apology, wishes success for Meiyazhagan

Telugu superstar and Deputy Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Pawan Kalyan, has responded to actor Karthi’s public apology regarding a recent remark about "laddu" that stirred controversy. Taking to social media, Pawan appreciated Karthi’s swift and respectful gesture, reiterating his stance on the importance of handling sensitive topics related to traditions with care.

"Dear @Karthi_Offl garu, I sincerely appreciate your kind gesture and swift response, as well as the respect you've shown towards our shared traditions. Matters concerning our sacred institutions, like Tirupati and its revered laddus, carry deep emotional weight for millions of devotees, and it’s essential for all of us to handle such topics with care. That said, I wanted to bring this to your notice with no intentions behind it, and I understand the situation was unintentional. Our responsibility as public figures is to foster unity and respect, especially regarding what we cherish most—our culture and spiritual values. Let's always strive to uplift these values while continuing to inspire through cinema," he wrote. 

ALSO READ: Karthi's apology to Pawan Kalyan sparks debate, netizens rally behind Meiyazhagan actor

Dear @Karthi_Offl garu,

I sincerely appreciate your kind gesture and swift response, as well as the respect you've shown towards our shared traditions. Matters concerning our sacred institutions, like Tirupati and its revered laddus, carry deep emotional weight for millions of…

— Pawan Kalyan (@PawanKalyan) September 24, 2024

The controversy emerged when Karthi, while promoting the Telugu version of his film Meiyazhagan (Sathyam Sundaram), made a light-hearted remark about laddu, referring to it as a "sensitive topic." The comment was in reference to a meme shown during the promotional event, which indirectly touched upon an ongoing political controversy involving the famous Tirupati laddus. Pawan Kalyan, who had previously expressed strong views on the issue, took offence to the remark.

Pawan also took the opportunity to express his admiration for Karthi's work, stating, "I would also like to express my admiration for you as a remarkable actor whose dedication and talent have consistently enriched our cinema." He extended his best wishes to Karthi’s brother, Suriya, his wife, Jyothika, and the entire team of Meiyazhagan, saying, "May it resonate with audiences and bring joy to many."

Earlier, Karthi’s apology had sparked a debate online, with some netizens suggesting that the actor had no reason to apologize, as they believed the remark was innocent and blown out of proportion. However, others appreciated Karthi’s humility in addressing the issue. 

Enjoy 35+ OTTs like ZEE5, LionsgatePlay, Ullu, SunNXT, SonyLIV, Fancode and 250+ Live TV channels at just ₹99