Some netizens were frustrated that he didn't stop for a selfie, while others felt that fans weren't entitled to request photos.
Published Jul 31, 2024 | 5:02 PM ⚊ Updated Jul 31, 2024 | 5:02 PM
Chiranjeevi draws flak for pushing IndiGo employee at airport. (X)
After Nagarjuna and Dhanush’s airport incidents, a video of Chiranjeevi at the airport is now under the radar. The Telugu Megastar faced criticism for pushing aside a fan who was trying to take a selfie with him.
Despite his fans defending Chiranjeevi, the online backlash continues unabated.
In a widely circulated video, Chiranjeevi and his wife Surekha exit a lift at the airport with ground staff. An IndiGo Airlines employee approaches him for a selfie but is initially ignored. When the employee persists and stands in his way, Chiranjeevi nudges him aside and walks away.
The internet was sharply divided. Some were frustrated that Chiranjeevi didn’t stop for a selfie, while others felt that fans weren’t entitled to request photos.
One fan criticised Chiranjeevi’s behaviour at the airport calling it rude, while another defended him saying, “The ground staff had already asked the man to step aside. It’s wrong to approach someone who has just arrived on a long flight and is with his family. There’s a sense of civic courtesy, and Chiranjeevi, being a good person, only nudged him aside.”
A netizen commented, “We can’t justify his actions just because we like him,” while another remarked, “He wasn’t in the economy like us; he was in business or first class, or even on a chartered flight.”
This isn’t the first time celebrities have faced backlash for disregarding or pushing fans at the airport.
సెల్ఫీ కోసం వచ్చిన వ్యక్తిని నెట్టేసిన చిరంజీవి..! #Chiranjeevi #MegaStarChiranjeevi #ViralVideo #Airport #Tollywood #Oneindiatelugu pic.twitter.com/PrNQvXUu50
— oneindiatelugu (@oneindiatelugu) July 30, 2024
Recently, a video of Nagarjuna’s bodyguard pushing a specially-abled fan went viral, drawing criticism. The actor apologised, claiming he didn’t witness the incident. He later met the fan for a selfie and admitted it was his fault.
Dhanush was also at the airport with Nagarjuna, and people demanded an explanation from him as well, though none was given. Critics claimed he “saw everything” and urged him to address the issue.
Chiranjeevi will next appear in Vishwambhara alongside Trisha Krishnan. Directed by Malladi Vassishta, the film is slated for a January release next year.
Additionally, his 2002 blockbuster Indra will be re-released on 22 August, coinciding with his birthday.
He recently attended the 2024 Olympics opening ceremony in Paris with Ram Charan, Upasana, Klin Kaara, and Surekha.
(Edited by Y Krishna Jyothi)
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