Leading the charge, Telangana Cinematography and Roads and Buildings Minister Komatireddy Venkata Reddy issued a stern warning to Kalyan.
Published Dec 02, 2025 | 5:47 PM ⚊ Updated Dec 02, 2025 | 6:00 PM
Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister and Jana Sena Party chief Pawan Kalyan.
Synopsis: Congress leaders in Telangana have condemned Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan for claiming that coconut plantations in Konaseema were damaged by the “evil eye” of people from Telangana, calling the remark superstitious and insulting. Senior ministers and legislators have demanded an unconditional apology, advising him to exercise restraint in public statements.
Tensions between Telangana’s ruling Congress and Andhra Pradesh’s Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan have peaked after the actor-turned-politician claimed that coconut plantations in Andhra’s Konaseema region were devastated due to the effect of the “evil eye” of people from Telangana.
The remark, made during a recent public meeting in Konaseema, has triggered outrage across Telangana, with Congress leaders demanding an unconditional apology. Some have also suggested that Kalyan sell his properties in Hyderabad and move permanently to Andhra Pradesh.
Kalyan, speaking in East Godavari district, attributed the large-scale damage to coconut crops in the Godavari region to a supposed “evil gaze” from across the state border.
The comment, widely shared on social media, was seen as a superstitious and sweeping insult aimed at the people of Telangana, reigniting sensitivities that have lingered since the 2014 bifurcation.
Leading the charge, Telangana Cinematography and Roads and Buildings Minister Komatireddy Venkata Reddy issued a stern warning to Kalyan.
“As the minister concerned, I am saying clearly: if Pawan Kalyan does not apologise, we will not allow his movie in Telangana,” he said. “He does not understand Telangana or its people. If he keeps insulting us, we will not tolerate it. If he apologises, his films will run for a day or two. Otherwise, we will not allow their release at all.”
The minister further lashed out at the Andhra deputy cm.
“We suffered for 60 years, drank fluoride-contaminated water and lived without funds, jobs or irrigation. You developed Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam with Hyderabad’s money. If he truly came into politics to serve people, he should refrain from such remarks. His brother Chiranjeevi is a gentleman, he never makes such foolish comments. There is no point stoking Telangana Andhra passions 13 years after statehood.”
Congress MP Challa Kiran Kumar Reddy advised Kalyan to exercise restraint.
“Politics is not cinema,” he said. “You cannot walk off after delivering a script for two and a half hours. In fact, Konaseema may be facing drishti (evil gaze) because you won in the last Assembly elections. If you want to talk about problems, talk about those in your own state.”
Jadcherla MLA J Anirudh Reddy, on November 29 condemned Kalyan’s remarks as “irresponsible and derogatory.”
“If Pawan Kalyan is so embarrassed by Telangana, he should sell all his assets here and move to Vijayawada,” he said. “He cannot do business in Hyderabad while belittling its people.”
Reddy recalled watching Kalyan’s 2024 film OG, despite its poor reviews, paying ₹800 for a ticket. “Our ‘evil eye’ did not stop him from buying properties here or Andhra businessmen from prospering in Telangana’s irrigation and construction sectors,” he added, demanding an immediate apology.
Echoing the sentiment, Congress MLC Balmoor Venkat issued a blistering warning.
“If he is ashamed of Telangana, let him stay in Andhra Pradesh. Otherwise, apologise or we will chase him out,” Venkat said in a widely circulated video. He also threatened a statewide boycott of Kalyan’s films, accusing him of developing arrogance after becoming Deputy Chief Minister. “He used to beg for screenings here. Now he talks tough,” Venkat said.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
