After Samantha, Rakul Preet Singh slams Konda Surekha for dragging her into ‘malicious’ political controversy

In recent weeks, political circles in Telangana have been buzzing with a controversy involving some of the biggest names in the Telugu film industry. After actress Samantha Ruth Prabhu was embroiled in a political scandal, another prominent Tollywood actress, Rakul Preet Singh, has found herself at the center of a similar storm. This time, it is Konda Surekha, a senior leader from the Indian National Congress (INC) and a former Minister in the Government of Telangana, who dragged Rakul’s name into the political fray. Rakul Preet Singh, known for her work in both Telugu and Hindi cinema, has publicly condemned Konda Surekha’s accusations, labeling them as “malicious” and baseless. In her strong response, the actress made it clear that she refuses to be used as a pawn in political mudslinging. Let’s take a deeper dive into the controversy and Rakul’s reaction. In the midst of this political tussle, Konda Surekha, a Congress leader with a long history in Telangana politics, made allegations that created shockwaves. Surekha claimed that certain actresses from the Telugu film industry were being used by political parties to promote their agendas and manipulate public opinion. Without providing substantial proof, Surekha dragged both Samantha Ruth Prabhu and Rakul Preet Singh into the controversy, insinuating their involvement in political machinations. Rakul Preet Singh wasted no time in addressing the accusations head-on. She issued a scathing statement denouncing Konda Surekha’s remarks as unfounded and defamatory. Rakul expressed her frustration and disappointment over being implicated in what she called “a malicious attempt to tarnish my reputation.” In her statement, Rakul said, “I have always maintained a professional distance from politics. My focus is on my career as an actress, and I have no involvement in any political activity. Dragging my name into such controversies without any basis is not only unfair but also harmful.” Rakul emphasized that public figures like herself often become soft targets in political games, especially during election season when the stakes are high. She called for a more responsible approach from political leaders and the media when discussing such matters, stating, “It’s high time we stop maligning people for personal or political gain. I request the media and the public to avoid giving attention to baseless rumors that only serve to defame.” The controversy highlights a larger trend that has been growing in India— the frequent involvement of celebrities in political controversies. In a country where film stars hold immense influence, especially in southern states like Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu, political parties often try to leverage their popularity for electoral gain. However, this also means that film stars, regardless of their actual involvement, often get entangled in political disputes. For actresses like Rakul Preet Singh and Samantha Ruth Prabhu, the accusations can be especially damaging, given that the entertainment industry holds them to high moral standards. Such controversies not only threaten their professional careers but also affect their personal lives, dragging them into the murky waters of politics where reputational damage is often irreparable. Before Rakul Preet Singh, Samantha Ruth Prabhu found herself in a similar situation. Samantha, one of the most popular actresses in South Indian cinema, was also accused of being involved in political controversies, allegedly at the behest of a political party. While the details of the allegations were vague, the mere mention of her name in the political sphere caused significant uproar. Samantha, much like Rakul, strongly condemned the accusations and stated that her involvement in politics was nonexistent. She too expressed dismay at how celebrities were being dragged into political issues for no apparent reason, other than to create sensationalism and controversy during election campaigns. The media plays a crucial role in shaping public perception, and controversies like these highlight the need for responsible journalism. In many cases, unverified claims and sensational headlines fuel public outrage, leading to the tarnishing of reputations before the facts are even established.