Ravi Teja’s Remark to Young Co-Star Sparks Backlash
Actor Ravi Teja has found himself at the centre of an online controversy after a remark he made to his young Irumudi co-star Nakshathra CM during the film’s pre-release event on August 16 sparked criticism on social media.
A video from the event has since circulated widely online, with viewers debating the actor’s choice of words and the context in which they were used.
What Happened at the Irumudi Event?
During the event, Nakshathra, who plays Ravi Teja’s daughter in Irumudi, asked the actor to suggest a nickname for her. Ravi Teja responded with the Telugu phrase “Muduru Munda.”
Nakshathra reportedly said that she did not know what the phrase meant, following which Ravi Teja laughed and told her that he would explain it later. The exchange was captured on video and subsequently spread across social media.
Why Has the Remark Sparked Criticism?
Several social media users have objected to the phrase, describing it as demeaning or derogatory when directed at a young girl. The criticism has particularly focused on the age of Nakshathra and the public setting in which the remark was made.
At the same time, reactions online have not been entirely one-sided. Some users have defended Ravi Teja, arguing that the meaning and connotation of Telugu expressions can depend on context and usage. Others have pointed to the phrase’s appearance in literary and cultural contexts and questioned whether it should automatically be interpreted as vulgar in every situation.
As a result, the controversy has evolved into a broader discussion about the meaning of the phrase, its cultural context and whether its use was appropriate in this particular interaction.
The Remark Comes Ahead of Irumudi’s Release
The controversy comes just days before Irumudi is scheduled to arrive in theatres on August 21. Directed by Shiva Nirvana, the film has been described as an intense family drama centred on the relationship between Ravi Teja’s character and his daughter, played by Nakshathra.
The director has spoken about the emotional relationship between the father and daughter in the film and praised Nakshathra’s performance. The movie also stars Priya Bhavani Shankar, Sai Kumar and others, with music composed by GV Prakash Kumar.
The contrast between the film’s emotional father-daughter premise and the controversy surrounding Ravi Teja’s interaction with Nakshathra has added further attention to the incident.
As of August 17, Ravi Teja has not publicly responded to the criticism surrounding the viral video.
