New Delhi: Telugu star Nandamuri Balakrishna is riding high on the success of his latest film 'Veera Simha Reddy'. The superstar courted controversy while speaking at an event about his film wherein he gave a rather enthusiastic speech to entertain fans. He spoke Akkineni Nageswara Rao's name in the wrong way. "We use to talk a lot about shastras, my father, dialogues, aa Rangarao ee Rangarao, Akkineni, Thokkineni, etc,” he was quoted as saying by an Indian Express report.
Soon after, fans of the legendary actor Akkineni Nageswara Rao( ANR) called out Balakrishna's comments. To join the clamour, Naga Chaitanya, the grandson of ANR released a statement expressing his displeasure. "Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao garu, Akkineni Nageswara Rao garu and SV Ranga Rao garu’s creative contributions have been the pride and pillars of Telugu cinema. Disrespecting them is degrading ourselves,” he said.
ANR's son Nagarjuna has not reacted to the incident yet.
ANR and NTR Rao were contemporaries in Telugu cinema and also close friends. The two also starred together in several movies. Their friendship was also part of the NTR biopic which was made by Balakrishna who had also essayed the role of his father besides producing the film.
Meanwhile, Balakrishna's 'Veera Simha Reddy' has become one of the biggest hits of his career. The film was released alongside Chiranjeevi's 'Waltair Veerayya' to mixed reviews.