We previously reported that actor-director R Parthiban found himself at the centre of a fresh controversy following remarks made at a promotional event for his upcoming Telugu film Ustaad Bhagat Singh, which stars Pawan Kalyan in the lead.
The comments soon went viral, sparking debate online. In response, Parthiban issued a late-night audio statement, striking a conciliatory tone and seeking to put the issue to rest.
“Hello friends, greetings. It is 1 am. Darkness surrounds us, and even dawn seems eager to break. I am writing this like a lamp-lit letter, hoping it leads us towards some light,” he began.
Without holding back, the actor addressed the controversy directly. “Without ego or stubbornness, I want to say what I know. And if anything I said has hurt or wounded anyone, I offer my heartfelt apology. Let us leave this behind and turn this moment into something better.”
Reflecting on how such issues escalate, he said, “For reasons I don’t understand, some matters turn into debates without any real gain and disturb public peace.”
Clarifying his identity, Parthiban explained, “However attached I may be to Tamil, I cannot change my birth certificate. How can I? Why should I? My birth is not my responsibility. No child chooses the parents, name, or home they are born into. Life is shaped by the environment we grow up in.”
At the same time, he reaffirmed his deep bond with the language. “My life has been devoted to Tamil. My livelihood, comfort, and everything have come from Tamil. Until my last day, Tamil will remain my heaven. I will proudly say this anywhere in the world.”
He also reiterated a point he has made before. “I have always said that my mother tongue is Telugu. At the pre-release event of Ustaad Bhagat Singh, I was extremely tense. I am not fluent in Telugu, and I was worried that my struggle would show on stage. I tried to speak a few words, but in that anxiety, I stumbled and couldn’t deliver them properly.”
Sharing a behind-the-scenes detail, he revealed, “While dubbing for Ustaad, since I couldn’t speak Telugu well, I was rejected, and another voice was used for my role. However, when it is dubbed in Tamil, I will speak for myself.”
Concluding his note, Parthiban appealed for calm. “I started writing this with good intentions, not to escalate the issue. I don’t know how to end this, so I request those who began this to kindly bring it to a close with love. Tamil is not just great and noble; it is also filled with love and compassion.”
For the unversed, at the event, Parthiban introduced himself by referring to his roots. “I am Radhakrishnan Parthiban, a Naidu boy,” he said, adding that his Telugu background had played a role in shaping his fluency in Tamil. His references to caste during the event courted controversy. Some users said that the actor-filmmaker's comments went against his own anti-caste stance at the Margazhiyil Makkal Isai festival, organised by Neelam Cultural Centre of Pa Ranjith. According to them, the comments lay bare his hypocrisy.
