Pawan Kalyan defends Karthi's apology over laddu row: 'He and Suriya are true devotees but...'

Telugu superstar and Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan recently addressed the public apology made by Tamil actor Karthi over a seemingly innocuous comment about the sacred Tirupati laddus . Pawan Kalyan, who has been vocal about the issue, suggested that Karthi’s apology was necessary and appropriate.

"Karthi and his brother Suriya are true devotees. I've seen them visit the Tirumala temple many times. While his comment was made in a light-hearted manner, he understands the significance behind it. They are role models for many, but I saw it as an insult. The Tamil film industry is like family to me – I grew up in Chennai, and my closest friends are from there," Pawan Kalyan told Thanthi TV.

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The controversy began when Karthi, at a promotional event for his film Meiyazhagan (Telugu version Satyam Sundaram), made a casual joke about the “laddu” in response to a meme. He remarked, "Laddu is a sensitive topic now, let's not talk about it," referencing the ongoing political debate in Andhra Pradesh. Allegations had surfaced that adulterated ghee containing animal fat was used in the sacred Tirupati laddus, sparking outrage in the state.

Pawan Kalyan, who has actively campaigned against these allegations and even undertook penance to protest the issue, felt Karthi’s comment undermined the seriousness of the matter. He issued a stern warning to the film industry to refrain from making light of sensitive cultural topics.

Karthi quickly responded to the backlash with a heartfelt apology, tweeting, "Dear @PawanKalyan sir, with deep respect to you, I apologize for any unintended misunderstanding caused. As a humble devotee of Lord Venkateswara, I always hold our traditions dear."

The issue generated mixed reactions online, with some fans defending Karthi’s innocence, while others felt Pawan overreacted to what was meant as a light comment intended to avoid the sensitive topic.

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