TDP legislator denies insulting actor Jr NTR after viral audio clip sparks protests

A controversy has broken out in Andhra Pradesh’s Anantapur after an alleged audio clip of Telugu Desam Party (TDP) legislator Daggupati Venkateswara Prasad surfaced online. In the recording, the MLA is purportedly heard insulting actor Jr NTR and calling for a boycott of his latest film War 2.

The audio clip, which has gone viral on social media, allegedly captures the MLA speaking to a fan during the release of the film. In the clip, a voice said to be Prasad’s can be heard stating, “The cinema won’t run. Without my word, the cinema won’t run. I am Anantapur MLA.” When the caller responded, “what you’re talking like that, Anna.... What should I tell?”, the MLA allegedly reiterated, “The cinema won’t run. The cinema won’t run, that’s all.”

The clip prompted anger among Jr NTR’s fans, who staged a protest outside the legislator’s residence. Demonstrators raised slogans, tore down his flex boards and demanded a public apology from the MLA.

Responding to the controversy, Prasad released a video statement denying the allegations. He said, “From the beginning, I have been an admirer of the Nandamuri family. I have always loved watching Balakrishna and NTR’s movies. But now, fake audio calls have been created as if I abused Jr NTR. That call is fake; there is no truth in it.”

The MLA further claimed that the audio clip was part of a political conspiracy to discredit him. He added that though the voice in the recording was not his, he wished to convey regret to the actor’s supporters. “Though it was not my voice, if Jr NTR fans are hurt, I apologise to them,” Prasad said.

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