As investigations into the Andhra arrests continue and Telangana’s BRS leverages the dialogue’s viral appeal, the “Rappa Rappa” saga underscores the urgent need to restore responsible political rhetoric.
Published Jun 23, 2025 | 2:32 PM ⚊ Updated Jun 23, 2025 | 3:11 PM
Allu Arjun's ‘Rappa Rappa’ dialogue dominates the political discourse. (X)
Synopsis: The “Rappa Rappa” dialogue from Pushpa 2 has sparked political unrest in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Used by YSRCP and BRS in banners, it led to arrests, protests, and sharp criticism for inciting violence. Allu Arjun’s delivery of the line at a public event added fuel, exposing the troubling intersection of cinema, politics, and toxic public discourse.
The two Telugu states, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, are witnessing a political discourse descending to deplorable depths, with the unrestrained use of Allu Arjun’s controversial dialogue from Pushpa 2, “Rappa Rappa,” to intimidate ruling parties.
Allu Arjun’s dialogue— “Aa adabidda meeda okka geetu padda, Gangamma jatara lo etta talalanu narikannattu, okokkadi thala rappa rappa narukuta”—roughly translates to a vow to slay opponents one by one, likening it to sacrificial lambs at the local deity Gangamma’s festival.
This “Rappa Rappa” line has triggered a political firestorm in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, drawing arrests, condemnations, and protests, and highlighting the erosion of civil discourse in the Telugu states.
The dialogue gained traction when Allu Arjun, for reasons best known to him, recited it at the Gaddar Film Awards ceremony in Hyderabad recently, with Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy in attendance. Critics questioned his judgment, noting that it provoked violence and that the Pushpa franchise itself has faced criticism for glorifying red sandalwood smuggling, which violates the law.
The line became part of political discourse when YSRCP activist Ravi Teja displayed a flex banner featuring the dialogue during Jagan Mohan Reddy’s visit to Rentapalla in Palnadu district on 19 June, catching widespread attention.
The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) seized the opportunity to condemn the YSRCP after a video of the YSRCP activist holding the banner went viral. Acting on complaints of incitement, Andhra Pradesh police took Ravi Teja into custody on June 19. He was arrested for displaying the inflammatory placard and was charged under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for promoting enmity and public mischief.
Interestingly, Jagan Mohan Reddy, instead of discouraging his party activist, defended him at a news conference, questioning what was wrong with the banner. “It was the opinion of an individual. He probably suffered a lot under the TDP dispensation,” Jagan said, claiming Ravi Teja was a former TDP member who joined YSRCP out of frustration with the TDP.
“What does the dialogue ‘Rappa Rappa, like Gangamma Jatara’ mean? People are angry with Chandrababu Naidu for failing them. Even TDP workers are joining us. Isn’t this a democracy? What’s wrong with using a movie dialogue?” Jagan asked sarcastically, urging reporters to repeat the banner’s text.
Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, responding on 20 June, condemned the YSRCP activist’s use of the dialogue as “dangerous” and indicative of a “criminal mindset.”
“Do you think killing or rape shown in films is acceptable in real life? This is the mindset of criminals,” Naidu said, accusing Jagan of encouraging violence and referred to the 2019 murder of Jagan’s uncle, YS Vivekananda Reddy, to underscore the opposition’s alleged history of criminality.
Finance Minister Payyavula Keshav echoed Naidu’s sentiments, stating, “When you say ‘We will kill, Rappa Rappa,’ whom are you planning to kill? Are you going to kill people? Jagan should have condemned this, but he laughed it off. This could lead to more violence.”
The “Rappa Rappa” rhetoric found an echo in Telangana during a Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) protest meeting in Jinnaram, Sangareddy district, led by senior leader T Harish Rao on 21 June.
BRS cadres displayed flex banners with the slogan “Rappa Rappa 3.0 loading,” invoking the Pushpa 2 dialogue to signal their intent to reclaim power from the ruling Congress in 2028. While the banners did not explicitly threaten violence, the use of the already controversial phrase sparked political buzz.
Unlike in Andhra, Harish Rao made no direct reference to the banners during his address, focusing instead on issues like unpaid Rythu Bharosa dues. However, social media amplified the trend. The BRS’s banners used an edited version of the dialogue, featuring only “Rappa Rappa.”
In Suryapet, flex banners also emerged with the “Rappa Rappa” dialogue, declaring: “BRS Party – Rappa Rappa 3.0 loading. We are ready to do it under the leadership Jagadish Anna (former Minister Jagdish Reddy), from local body elections to 2028 elections.” The banner was set up by Putta Kishore, former vice-chairman of Suryapet Municipality.
Reacting to the flex banner, Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy asked, “What does ‘Rappa Rappa’ mean? Do you want to turn Telangana into a faction state? The mobile phones of farmers are ringing with messages of Rythu Bandhu credits. Do you want ‘Rappa Rappa’ to end this? We are crediting ₹9,000 crore in nine days. Do you want to stop it?”
రప్పా..రప్పా..ఫ్యాక్షన్ రాజకీయం కాదు మాది..
ట్రింగ్..ట్రింగ్ అని భరోసానిచ్చే రైతురాజ్యం ఇది.!@TelanganaCMO @revanth_anumula @INCTelangana #PrajaPalana #IndirammaIndlu #RythuBharosa #Nalgonda #Nakirekal pic.twitter.com/Gf66mf8lqU— Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy (@INC_Ponguleti) June 22, 2025
After Allu Arjun delivered the dialogue at the awards function, Telangana’s Congress entered the fray. Nizamabad Rural MLA R Bhoopathi Reddy criticized the actor for glorifying violence. “This ‘Rappa Rappa’ dialogue sends the wrong message to youth,” Bhoopathi Reddy said at a press conference following the awards, reigniting regional tensions by questioning Allu Arjun’s Telangana credentials.
The Telugu states’ already polarized political landscape faces further strain as cinematic bravado fuels real-world tensions. As investigations into the Andhra arrests continue and Telangana’s BRS leverages the dialogue’s viral appeal, the “Rappa Rappa” saga underscores the urgent need to restore responsible political rhetoric.
(Edited by Sumavarsha)
