Tollywood actor Srikanth Iyengar has come under fire after a video of him speaking ill of Mahatma Gandhi went viral. In the clip, he uses abusive language while addressing Gandhi and even praises Nathuram Godse, who assassinated him. A translated excerpt from the video has also been widely circulated online. The remarks made by the actor have drawn widespread criticism, including from political circles.
Srikanth Iyengar abuses Mahatma Gandhi
The translated script quotes him as calling Gandhi derogatory names and making further incendiary comparisons. Iyengar also praised Nathuram Godse, likening him to an “antibiotic” that removed a “parasite” — language that many have called objectionable and inflammatory.
Activists and political figures across Telangana have urged authorities to take strict action in this matter. Many described his comments as “deeply disrespectful” and an attempt to defame a revered national leader.
Complaint filed against Iyengar
The comments have not gone down well with many activists and politicians. Congress MLC Balmur Venkat has filed a complaint with the Hyderabad Cyber Crime Unit regarding Iyengar’s statements. He said the actor’s words were deeply offensive and urged authorities to register criminal charges and take immediate action.
Venkat also called on the film industry and artists’ associations to respond sternly. He suggested that Iyengar be suspended from professional bodies or barred from upcoming projects if he refused to retract his remarks.
He emphasised the responsibility of industry bodies to condemn statements that demean the “Father of the Nation” and urged them to distance themselves from individuals who make such remarks.
“Those who insult the Father of the Nation should not be allowed to represent the industry,” he said, urging bodies to consider suspending Iyengar from future projects if he refused to issue an apology.
Who is Srikanth Iyengar?
He is a medical doctor by profession and turned actor due to passion towards the acting. He worked as an assistant director for the Deccani film The Angrez (2005) before turning director through the English film Stalemate… it`s your move (2007), which was made on the backdrop of cancer
He has appeared in numerous Telugu films as a versatile character artist since around 2016. He has portrayed various roles, including antagonists, police officers, and comedic characters. He starred in films like Ante Sundaraniki (2021), Raja Raja Chora (2021) and Pottel (2023). He produced the unreleased film Yanam in 2022.
