Telangana cabinet minister Konda Surekha has now publicly apologised to Nagarjuna for her controversial remarks made last year about his family and speculative comments about reasons behind Naga Chaitanya and Samantha’s divorce.

In October 2024, Surekha’s comments drew widespread criticism, prompting Nagarjuna to file a defamation case against her. Although the minister later withdrew her statements, the legal proceedings continued, with Nagarjuna and his son Naga Chaitanya appearing before the Nampally court to record their statements. 

Now, months later, the issue has resurfaced after Konda Surekha took to social media last night to express her regret. “I wish to clarify that my statement regarding Nagarjuna garu was not intended to hurt him or his family members. I had no intention of defaming or offending Akkineni Nagarjuna Garu or his family. I regret any unintended impression created by my remarks and hereby withdraw them,” she wrote.

In October 2024, addressing the media at an event, Konda Surekha stated, “KTR was undoubtedly responsible for the divorce between Naga Chaitanya and Samantha. KTR asked Nagarjuna to send over Samantha in return for stopping the demolition of the N-convention centre, that’s owned by Nagarjuna. Nagarjuna and his family then forced Samantha to fall in line. When Samantha refused to do so, that’s when they decided to divorce each other.” The minister had also claimed that everyone knows about this, adding, “That’s an open secret, and well known among industry insiders as well.”

While her apology to Nagarjuna has gained attention, many netizens on social media are urging her to also extend an apology to actress Samantha, who was indirectly affected by her earlier comments. Reports suggest that Surekha’s remarks were originally aimed at targeting BRS leader and former minister K.T. Rama Rao.