Actress Samantha Ruth Prabhu has publicly condemned Telangana Minister Konda Surekha for making unfounded claims linking her divorce from Naga Chaitanya to political motivations.

In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), Samantha expressed disappointment over the minister's remarks, stating, "To be a woman, to come out and work, to survive in a glamorous industry where women are more often than not treated as props, it takes a lot of courage and strength." She urged Surekha to be mindful of her words, emphasizing the weight they carry as a minister. "I implore you to be responsible and respectful of individuals' privacy," Samantha wrote.

The controversy erupted after Surekha alleged that BRS working president KTR was responsible for the couple's divorce, claiming it was part of a political strategy. Samantha firmly refuted this, clarifying that her divorce was a mutual decision and an amicable one, with no political conspiracies involved. "Please keep my name out of political battles. I have always remained non-political and wish to continue doing so," she stated.

Samantha's statement followed similar pleas from actor Nagarjuna, Chaitanya's father, who urged the minister to respect people's privacy. "I strongly condemn the comments of the honorable minister, Mrs. Konda Surekha. Don't use the lives of film stars who stay away from politics to criticize your opponents. Please respect other people's privacy," Nagarjuna said in a post on X.

The controversy escalated when a video of Surekha went viral, in which she accused KTR of interfering in celebrities' lives, involving himself in drug-related controversies, and using these situations for blackmail.

Samantha's response, echoing Nagarjuna's call for respect, underscores the gravity of the situation and the need for responsible public discourse. It highlights the inappropriate use of personal matters for political gain, especially when involving individuals who have chosen to remain apolitical.