Yesteryear actress and BJP supporter Kasthuri Shankar, who is familiar to South audiences for her roles in several films and often grabs headlines for her unnecessary comments, stoked a huge row with her insensitive and controversial remarks on Telugu people who settled in Tamil Nadu during her recent public meeting.
Speaking at a BJP meeting recently, she claimed that Telugu people are the descendants of women (prostitutes) who served kings in the past. She specifically stated that those who came 300 years ago to serve in the king’s harem were Telugu people. These uncalled for statements received severe backlash and criticism not just from Telugu speaking people but also from DMK party and its supporters.
In response, Kasthuri took to Twitter and wrote that the DMK ecosystem is attempting to discredit her by spreading misinformation about her loyalty to Telugu culture. She said, “All Telugu people are like my family. I request the Telugu media not to fall for the false news being spread by TN’s Goebbels and the anti-Hindu DMK network. The people of Andhra and Telangana will never be deceived by their lies. No one should dare insult my love and loyalty for the Telugu land that has given me love, family, and acceptance.”
As her needless statements continue to draw more ire despite her clarification, Kasthuri finally tendered apology to Telugu community through her post on X.
She posted ” I am a true nationalist with immense pride in the unity and diversity of my Bharatmata. I have always lived above caste and regional differences. I am lucky to have a special connection to Telugu. I grew up admiring the glorious days of the nayakkar kings, Kattabommu nayaka and singing tyagarajakritis. I cherish my movie career in Telugu.Telugu people have given me name, fame, love and a family.
“I reiterate that my expressed opinions are contextually specific to certain persons and not general to the greater Telugu community”.
“It was never my intention to hurt or offend my telugu extended family. I am sorry for any inadvertent ill feeling. In the interest of all round amity, I withdraw all references to telugu in my speech delivered on 3rd november 2024”
“This controversy has diverted focus from the more important points I raised in that speech. I ask the Telugu brethren of TamilNadu to rally behind Tamil Nadu’s Brahmins in their fight for dignity”.
Kasthuri appeared in numerous Telugu films, including “Nippu Ravva,” “Annamayya,” “Rathayatra,” and “Chilakkottudu.” She attained fame and money from Telugu cinema. Still, she made disparaging remarks about the Telugu community which received public condemnation.