Actor Kasturi Shankar Arrested From Hyderabad Over Controversial Remarks On Telugu Community

Actress Kasturi Shankar was arrested in Hyderabad on Saturday (16 November) by Chennai Police in connection with a case involving her alleged controversial remarks about Telugu-speaking community living in Tamil Nadu.

According to a complaint by a Telugu association, Shankar made divisive remarks during a 3 November protest.

Following the backlash, Shankar later publicly apologised via social media, saying, “It was never my intention to hurt or offend my Telugu extended family. I am sorry for any inadvertent ill feeling.”

In addition to her apology, Shankar retracted her remarks from the speech, citing the need for harmony.

However, Tamil Nadu Police proceeded to register a case against her under four sections of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), despite her public apology.

Shankar had sought anticipatory bail by filing a petition in the Madras High Court regarding the case registered against her by Madurai Police.

The Madurai bench of the Madras High Court, however, denied anticipatory bail to Kasturi.

The 50-year-old actor's remarks at a meeting of the Hindu Makkal Katchi drew fire from BJP national co-in charge of Tamil Nadu Dr Ponguleti Sudhakar Reddy, who demanded an apology from her.

Her comments hamper the cordial atmosphere among the people of Tamil Nadu and were against the principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the world is one family), the BJP leader told news agency PTI.

Kasturi Shankar, recognised for her work in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada cinema, began her career with the 1991 film Aatha Un Koyilile.

She later rose to prominence through her roles in Kamal Haasan’s Indian (1996) and Annamayya (1997).

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