Pawan Kalyan warns Meiyazhagan actor Karthi over laddu comment: 'Don't you dare...'

Telugu superstar Pawan Kalyan, who is also the Deputy Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, took offence to actor Karthi's seemingly innocent remark about laddus. Karthi, who was promoting Meiyazhagan (Satyam Sundaram) in the Telugu states, was asked to react to a meme featuring laddus. In response, Karthi joked, "Laddu is a sensitive topic now, let's not talk about it."

Karthi was referring to the controversy surrounding Tirupati Laddu. The Andhra Pradesh government had alleged that adulterated ghee containing animal fat was used in the preparation of the world-famous laddus. Pawan Kalyan described this as an act of defiling Hindu beliefs.

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Leading the protest against this issue, Pawan has undertaken 11 days of penance to atone for the alleged wrongdoing. He appeared upset with Karthi’s remarks and issued a stern warning to the film industry.

"I have a message for the film industry. If you want to talk about it, talk respectfully. Otherwise, stay quiet. But if you make a joke about the issue, people won’t forgive you because it’s a deep pain. You’re making jokes about laddus. At a recent film event, I saw someone say, ‘Laddu is a sensitive issue.’ Don’t you dare ever say that. I respect you as actors, but when it comes to Sanatana Dharma, you have to think 100 times before speaking," Pawan stated.

Pawan also criticized actor Prakash Raj, who had accused him of communalizing the matter. "I have great respect for Mr. Prakash Raj. But he should learn his lessons," Pawan added.

Earlier, Prakash Raj had reacted to Pawan’s statements with a tweet:

"Dear @PawanKalyan… It has happened in a state where you are a DCM… Please investigate, find out the culprits, and take stringent action. Why are you spreading apprehensions and blowing up the issue nationally? We have enough communal tensions in the country (thanks to your friends in the Centre)."