Telugu superstar Balakrishna shoves actress Anjali on stage; faces backlash on social media - VIDEO

Telugu actor and politician Nandamuri Balakrishna has been widely criticised on social media after a recent video of him pushing away actress Anjali at a film event surfaced online.

Balakrishna was the chief guest at the pre-release event for Anjali’s upcoming action film Gangs of Godavari, co-starring Vishwak Sen and Neha Shetty when the incident happened.

In the viral video, Balakrishna can beseen askingAnjali and another actor Neha Shetty to step aside. However, they fail to hear him after which the actorpushes Anjali away makingher tumble.Balakrishna also has a stern expression and can be seen saying something to the actress.He islater seen giving Anjali a high-five.

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While the context of what Balakrishna told Anjali before pushing her is unknown, the actress seemed to take it sportingly.

Anjali has previously performed in notable Tamil and Telugu films like Angaadi Theru, Engaeyum Eppothum, Seethamma Vakitlo Sirimalle Chettu, and Geethanjali.

Watch the video here:

Balakrishna lands in hot water after viral video sparks outrage

Despite Anjali’s lighthearted reaction, netizens and some fellow actors were outraged at Balakrishna’s behaviour, slamming him for being “disrespectful” to women.

Filmmaker Hansal Mehta took to X to call out Balakrishna. Sharing a clip from the incident, Hansal, wrote, “Who is this scumbag?”

Actor Nakuul Mehta also came forward to slam him, writing: “Not one person expressed their discomfort. Not one. Ridiculous behaviour by the gent.”

One user wrote, “Classic example of not having spines for the sake of opportunities. Deep-rooted rot truly and sad to see even women not call it out.” While another wrote, “Typical Indian male trying to show masculinity by battering a woman”.

However, movie producer S Naga Vamsi defended Balakrishna, and said what was done in a ‘friendly manner’ should not be ‘misread or misinterpreted’.

“Both Balakrishna and Anjali know each other well. The video is being circulated with wrong motives. Why is it that Balakrishna and Anjali giving a high-five to each other immediately has not been circulated?”, Vamsi questioned.

Balakrishna’s peers have often spoken about his short temper. In a press meeting, director KS Ravikumar, who worked with Balakrishna on Jai Simha, discussed the actor’s anger issues.

According to a Times Now report, Ravikumar mentioned an incident where Balakrishna almost hit an assistant director who he thought was laughing at him after a fan shifted his wig. “He got mad at him and almost hit him. He claimed he was from the ‘opposite gang.’ I had to intervene,” said Ravikumar.

On the work front, Balakrishna is currently filming his 109th film, which will be released in both Telugu and Hindi.

(With inputs from agencies)