Balayya pushes, and Anjali thanks him

Actor-politician Nandamuri Balakrishna just got emboldened. His co-actor Anjali, who was pushed by Balayya on stage at the Gangs of Godavari event, helped him become one.

Even as Balayya was called out for his high-handed and insensitive behaviour, some even labelling him as a scumbag, Anjali herself came to his rescue, which was no less a shocker.

By choosing to stay subservient, the Tamil-Telugu actress has only ended up emboldening Balayya and those like him—a clear signal that nothing will change. Selective activism, such as tweeting and making meaningless statements when it suits them, is likely to cause more harm than good.

ANJALI DEFENDS

Anjali thanked him for making it to the show. Despite receiving overwhelming support from celebrities and internet users, Anjali’s latest post has surprised many.

Her post read, “I want to thank Balakrishna Garu for gracing the Gangs of Godavari pre-release event with his presence. I would like to express that Balakrishna Garu and I have always maintained mutual respect for each other, and we have shared a great friendship for a long time. It was wonderful to share the stage with him again.”

‘Shameful’

“The entire body language and the way he had pushed her—I think it is uncalled for, and it is shameful not only in public but in private as well,” feels Ashoke Pandit, filmmaker and president of the Indian Film & Television Directors’ Association.

Nobody should take such behaviour in a light manner. “This kind of humiliation is not acceptable. Whoever he is, it is not acceptable. This is not an example to be set in the industry. It symbolises arrogance and ego.” Ashoke Pandit equally blames Anjali for taking it so easy. “The lady (Anjali) is also to blame, as she took it so lightly and started laughing after being pushed, which is questionable,” he adds. Considering Nandamuri Balakrishna’s power and influence in the industry, many netizens felt like Anjali was ‘forced’ to issue a favourable clarification for him.

One netizen tweeted, “Too late to defend him now.” while another wrote, “Forced tweet! That’s okay; it’s your choice!! But deep down inside, what happened?”

‘serial offender’

This isn’t the first time that the politician-turned-actor has invited disdain for his outrightly problematic and criminal tendencies. He has been slapping his fans, making vulgar and misogynistic comments about women, and has always gotten away with it.

For example, in 2016, a police complaint was filed against him during the audio release event of the film Savitri. Balakrishna said, “If I play eve-teasing roles, and just follow girls, my fans will not accept. Either a kiss should be given or they should be made pregnant.” He made this comment in the presence of female actors, who looked shocked and embarrassed but were unable to call him out. While shooting his film in 2017, Balakrishna was seen abusing his assistant. He was caught on camera hitting him on the head and ordering his shoelaces to be tied.

‘Balayya, very nice person’

Actress and model Kethna Raj also appears to do the balancing act. “I personally feel Balakrishna Garu is a very nice and jovial person. He won’t do something like this intentionally,” she says adding, “The matter should be considered closed since Anjali herself has stated she has no problem with it. But yes, I agree; that’s not the way to treat a woman, but Balakrishna Garu behaves with everyone the same,” says Kethna Raj.

They are public figures who are in the public eye constantly and they have to behave appropriately at all times. Also, women need to speak up when injustice happens to them. Not later or a month later. Speak up right there and then. Call them out when something wrong happens to you! — Priya Venugopal, educationist and Life Coach

he doesn’t know how to treat women. How can he show so much anger at a woman on public stage. This reflects his attitude towards women. Spoilt by legacy and arrogance. I feel bad for the girl who is still trying to make light of the situation because her career depends on people like Balakrishna — R.K. Roja, AP Minister for Tourism and Youth Development