Actor Kasturi Shankar has been arrested in Hyderabad by the Chennai Police in connection with a case involving her controversial remarks about the Telugu-speaking community in Tamil Nadu.
The case was filed by a Telugu association, which accused Shankar of making divisive comments during a protest on November 3. In her speech, she reportedly said, “The Telugu-speaking community came as assistants to the king’s consort and later adopted a Tamil identity,” which sparked backlash.
Following the controversy, Shankar issued a public apology on social media, stating, “It was never my intention to hurt or offend my Telugu extended family. I am deeply sorry for any unintended ill feelings.” She also retracted her statements, emphasizing the importance of maintaining harmony between communities.
Despite her apology, the Tamil Nadu Police proceeded to file a case against her, invoking four sections of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).
Shankar subsequently filed a petition in the Madras High Court, seeking anticipatory bail in relation to the case registered against her by the Madurai Police. However, the Madurai bench of the High Court recently denied her request for anticipatory bail.
Kasturi Shankar, known for her roles in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada films, made her acting debut in the 1991 film Aatha Un Koyilile and gained recognition for her performances in Kamal Haasan’s Indian (1996) and Annamayya (1997). In addition to her acting career, Shankar has also been active in politics, campaigning for the BJP in Madurai ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
