Actor Vishnu Manchu and Kollywood star Prakash Raj had a virtual face-off recently as they conveyed their personal opinions on the
Tirupati laddu
issue. Now, the Tollywood actor has addressed this incident during a recent interview.
Vishnu recently discussed his interaction with actor Prakash Raj on the social media platform Twitter concerning the controversy surrounding the
adulteration
of Tirupati laddus.
The issue emerged following claims of adulteration in the ghee used for offerings at the
Tirumala temple
, which led Andhra Pradesh's Deputy Chief Minister, Pawan Kalyan, to demand an investigation. In response, Vishnu addressed Prakash's remarks, in which he criticized Kalyan for fostering concerns rather than pursuing a proper inquiry into the situation.
Vishnu Manchu Hits Back at Prakash Raj in Tirupati Prasad Controversy: 'Millions Of Hindus...'
Vishnu Manchu recently spoke on the matter in an interview with India Today, emphasizing that he harbors no negative feelings toward Prakash Raj. Nonetheless, he expressed his disagreement with Prakash's comments regarding Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan. "I have known Mr. Prakash Raj since I was a child, and I do refer to him as
Uncle
. I respect him, and I have no ill intentions towards him," he stated. He expressed that he shares his opinions regardless of who is on the opposing side. He pointed out that Prakash Raj made a direct attack on Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, whom he respects as an actor. Vishnu clarified that Kalyan did not inject any communal overtones into the discussion, contrary to Prakash's claims. The 'Voter' actor highlighted the current sensitive environment and questioned the necessity of associating the matter with communal undertones when none exist.
He further defended Pawan Kalyan's statements, noting that there was nothing inappropriate about Kalyan's call for an investigation. He criticized the tendency to dissect and misinterpret Kalyan's comments, asserting that not every issue requires personal involvement and labeling such reactions as unnecessary.
Vishnu rejected the label of "controversy" for the situation, asserting it was a genuine response to a legitimate concern rather than a manufactured spectacle. He underscored the importance of accountability, expressing alarm at the officials' statements and advocating for proactive measures to prevent similar issues in the future, as a devoted follower of Lord Balaji.
The actor defended his fellow industry colleagues, stating that no one in the film industry has downplayed the issue. He emphasized that it is a serious matter, referring to it as "
sacrilege
," and affirmed that nobody has made jokes or treated it lightly.