Nagarjuna Akkineni SUES Konda Surekha; files 100 crore defamation over controversial Naga Chaitanya-Samantha divorce remark

Renowned South Indian actor Nagarjuna Akkineni has filed for legal action against Telangana’s Forests and Environment Minister, Konda Surekha, following her comments regarding the divorce of his son, Naga Chaitanya, and actress Samantha Ruth Prabhu. Surekha created quite an uproar with her recent controversial statement regarding the couple’s divorce. For the unversed, the politician recently claimed that Bharat Raksha Samithi (BRS) leader KT Rama Rao (KTR) was the cause of Sam and Chay’s divorce. 

Nagarjuna Akkineni files 100 crore defamation case against Konda Surekha

The veteran actor confirmed the filing of a defamation suit during an exclusive interview with Zoom, emphasizing that he would not retract the lawsuit even if an apology is issued. In his statements, Nagarjuna expressed strong displeasure towards Surekha’s remarks, which he described as “outrageous.”

He revealed that a criminal defamation case has been filed against the minister and mentioned plans to pursue an additional suit seeking damages of ₹100 crore. “Her comments cannot be allowed to slide under the cracks,” he stated, stressing that the discourse had transcended personal grievances.

గౌరవనీయ మంత్రివర్యులు శ్రీమతి కొండా సురేఖ గారి వ్యాఖ్యలని తీవ్రంగా ఖండిస్తున్నాను. రాజకీయాలకు దూరంగా ఉండే సినీ ప్రముఖుల జీవితాలని, మీ ప్రత్యర్ధులని విమర్శించేందుకు వాడుకోకండి. దయచేసి సాటి మనుషుల వ్యక్తిగత విషయాలని గౌరవించండి. బాధ్యత గలిగిన పదవి లో ఉన్న మహిళగా మీరు చేసిన…

— Nagarjuna Akkineni (@iamnagarjuna) October 2, 2024

Translates to: “I strongly condemn the comments of the Honorable Minister Mrs. Konda Surekha. Don’t use the lives of movie stars who stay away from politics to criticize your opponents. Please respect other people’s privacy. As a woman in a responsible position, your comments and accusations against our family are completely irrelevant and false. I request you to withdraw your comments immediately.”

Konda Surekha apologised to Samantha Ruth Prabhu

Konda Surekha has reportedly suggested withdrawing her statements and extending apologies to Samantha Ruth Prabhu. However, Nagarjuna insisted that his family never received any form of apology, prompting further legal action. “What about my family? Not a word of apology to me and my family!” he lamented.

When questioned about the possibility of retracting the lawsuit if an apology were offered, Nagarjuna firmly declared, “No. Not at all. This is no longer personal.” He highlighted a collective outcry from the Telugu film industry, emphasizing the need to guard against the exploitation of their names for political gain. “We in the entertainment industry won’t be soft targets anymore. It’s as simple as that,” he affirmed.

Nagarjuna Akkineni hopes for speedy verdict

Nagarjuna acknowledged the lengthy nature of defamation cases in India, indicating his preparedness for an extended legal battle. “I hope for a speedy verdict. In any case, we will see this to its logical conclusion,” he stated, underscoring his commitment to protect his family’s reputation.

Reflecting on what has been a challenging year, Akkineni remarked, “Problems are piling up one after another. I thought the last one was the last. But it seems God has other plans.” He emphasized his determination to safeguard his family, likening himself to a lion.

Nagarjuna also expressed gratitude towards the support from the Telugu film fraternity and the media, attributing some of this goodwill to his late father’s legacy. “I want to thank the media through this interview for standing by us,” he added. As the situation unfolds, Akkineni’s steadfast stance in pursuing justice highlights the intersection of personal and public narratives in the realm of Indian cinema and politics.

Also Read: Konda Surekha cites ‘internal sources’ for controversial Samantha-Naga Chaitanya divorce claims; says, “No one knows why they parted”