Hyderabad-based stand-up comedian Anudeep Katikala was arrested by Andhra Pradesh Police in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj on Tuesday. The comedian had been visiting his family in Prayagraj when he was detained by the Andhra Pradesh police over his alleged comments on the state`s Deputy Chief Minister, Pawan Kalyan, during a stand-up comedy gig.
Comedian Anudeep Katikala arrested
After Anudeep recently posted a video of his stand-up act on Tollywood stars and fandom culture, he has been on the receiving end of abuse and threats of physical violence from fans of the Jana Sena Party chief Pawan Kalyan.
Anudeep`s arrest comes three days after a First Information Report (FIR) was filed against him at the Kakinada Police Station. According to reports, two police officers from Kakinada district traced Anudeep’s phone to a park in Prayagraj at around 7 pm on April 14, where he was with his father. The comedian was booked by the Kakinada I Town Police following a complaint by Jana Sena Party East Godavari Joint Secretary Bade Venkata Krishna.
The Wire report suggests that Anudeep was detained by the AP police around 7 PM on April 14. An FIR was registered against him at the Kakinada I Town police station at 1.15 PM on April 11. 51-year-old Bade Venkata Krishna filed a written complaint stating in the complaint that he served as a JSP worker since 2014 and was the Joint Secretary of the East Godavari District JSP since 2022.
The complaint claimed that Anudeep targeted Pawan and his family members during his performance, damaging their reputation with sarcasm and vulgar language. He was also accused of spreading false information to disrupt peace and incite enmity. The report mentions that the police action legally includes a detention and not a formal arrest yet. Now, Anudeep currently faces charges under Sections 356(2), 353(2), 79 of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), and Section 67 of the IT Act.
What did Anudeep say
In the video uploaded by Anupdeep, he is seen calling Ram Charan a “feminist” for not being insecure about his wife, Upasana, who is wealthier than him. Further joking about Pawan Kalyan, he said, “One thing I learnt from Pawan Kalyan is how to divorce your wife. All men should learn it,” referencing the Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister and actor’s three marriages. He also suggested that Pawan’s divorced niece, Niharika Konidela, should take his advice as the actor-politician had gotten divorced twice and was ‘experienced’.
The stand-up comedian also cracked jokes on Balakrishna, Mahesh Babu, Jr NTR and others in his sets.
As clips went viral, fans began demanding an apology from Anudeep for hurting sentiments, while JSP leaders began threatening legal action. Anudeep posted an apology video on his YouTube, in which he said, “I apologise for any feelings hurt. This was never my intention. The whole intention of the video was to question toxic fan culture, and we have seen proof of that this weekend. The way they attacked my friends mercilessly wasn’t okay, and I wasn’t there in Hyderabad. If not, I would’ve faced you guys. It was not my intention to cause anyone harm. I hope we can move past this. I apologise to the individuals mentioned in the video.”
Action was taken against the 30-year-old comedian despite his public apology.
