Row over director K Raghavendra Rao pulling actors Keerthy Suresh, Krithi Shetty closer; slammed, criticism on internet
A video from the launch of director Anil Ravipudi’s upcoming film has put veteran Telugu filmmaker K Raghavendra Rao at the centre of online criticism. The clip, shared on X on Thursday, shows the 84-year-old grabbing actors Keerthy Suresh and Krithi Shetty by their hands and pulling them closer to him, while directing the inaugural shot. The clip is now being widely shared on X, prompting backlash from several social media users.
What is happening in the viral clip?
The upcoming film, starring Venkatesh Daggubati, Nandamuri Kalyanram, Keerthy Suresh and Krithi Shetty, was launched in Hyderabad on Thursday. Legendary director Raghavendra Rao was invited to direct the inaugural shot as part of the tradition muhurataam ceremony, with photographs shared on X and Instagram.
Producer Allu Aravind gave the ceremonial first clap, while producers Dil Raju, Suresh Babu and several members of the Telugu film fraternity attended the event.
However, it was a video from the event that quickly grabbed attention online.
In the widely shared clip, Raghavendra Rao is seen positioning the actors for the shot. He first reaches out to pull Keerthy Suresh closer by her arm before appearing to change his mind and guiding Krithi Shetty instead. He is later seen instructing Venkatesh and Kalyanram on how to place their arms on the actors’ shoulders for the scene.
Watch the clip here:
While a section of people slammed Raghavendra Rao for his behaviour, others defended him saying that he was only directing the inaugural shot, showing them their positions.
Here’s the shot he directed at the ceremony:
Internet’s reaction to the viral clip
The video triggered criticism on X, with several users accusing the filmmaker of unnecessarily touching the actors. One user wrote, “Endi ra ee musalodu, pratisari touch cheyanike chustaduu (Why does this old man always try to touch?)” Another commented, “Who is this old idiot? Who gave him the right to touch women without their consent?” A third user wrote, “Why does he touch women like that? He could do the same scene without touching them. Creepy Raghavendra Rao (sic).”
The clip also revived discussion around an earlier controversy involving Niharika Konidela. Referring to that incident, one user wrote, “Raghavendra Rao Garu, what exactly is this behaviour? This isn’t the first time such visuals have gone viral. After the backlash over the Niharika video, one would expect that you had learned how to behave. Yet here we are again, having the same conversation (sic).”
Another user added, “How does #RaghavendraRao BA get away with all the things he does with heroines? Those days, it was understandable because there was no social media, but even today, he seems to escape criticism (sic).”
See all the reactions here:
When Taapsee Pannu opened up about working with the director
The backlash also brought back comments made by actor Taapsee Pannu about working with Raghavendra Rao in her debut film, Jhummandi Naadam (2010). During an appearance on East India Comedy in 2017, Taapsee joked about the filmmaker’s trademark style of filming heroines with fruits and flowers being thrown at their midriff, saying, “I don’t know what’s sensuous about a coconut hitting my midriff.”
Meanwhile, directed by Anil Ravipudi, the yet-to-be-titled film starring Venkatesh marks their after F2 (2019), F3 (2022) and Sankranthik Vasthunnam (2025), and reunites Ravipudi with Kalyanram later Up (2015).
Soon after the launch, Anil Ravipudi shared photographs from the ceremony on social media and wrote, “Nothing gives me greater joy than entertaining audiences in theatres. With immense happiness, gratitude, and a sense of responsibility, we begin the journey of #VenkyAnil5 – #NKRAR2 today. Heartfelt thanks to all our honourable guests for gracing the ceremony and making it even more special (sic).”
The filming is expected to begin soon.
– Ends
