Telugu Star Vijay Deverakonda Faces Legal Backlash Over Controversial Tribal Remarks

Telugu actor Vijay Deverakonda finds himself embroiled in legal trouble following comments made at a film event that have been deemed offensive to tribal communities. A formal complaint was lodged against the star on Friday, accusing him of making derogatory remarks during a promotional event for the Tamil film Retro, starring Suriya, held in Hyderabad on April 26.

The complaint, filed by Hyderabad-based lawyer Lal Chauhan at the SR Nagar police station, alleges that Deverakonda insulted tribal communities by likening the recent Pahalgam terror attack in Kashmir to historical tribal conflicts. The actor’s statements, captured in a video that has since gone viral, included a suggestion that educating terrorists could prevent such attacks, adding, “They behave like tribals 500 years ago, fighting without any sense.” These remarks have sparked outrage among tribal groups, who have demanded an apology from the actor.

The complaint references a specific video titled “Vijay Deverakonda Commanding Speech About Pakistan Terrorist at Retro Event / Surya / Sahithi TV,” uploaded to the YouTube channel. Screenshots and links to the footage were included as evidence in the filing, which has gained significant traction online.

Deverakonda’s comments were made in the context of the April 22 Pahalgam attack, where 26 people, mostly tourists, were killed in a terrorist assault in Jammu and Kashmir’s Anantnag district. The actor expressed grief over the incident, recalling his own visit to Pahalgam during a film shoot two years prior, but his analogy comparing the attackers’ actions to tribal clashes has been widely criticized as insensitive.

The case has been registered under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, as reported by The Siasat Daily, reflecting the seriousness of the allegations. Tribal associations have publicly condemned Deverakonda’s remarks, amplifying the controversy surrounding the popular actor known for films like Kushi and Kingdom.

As the legal proceedings unfold, the incident has cast a shadow over Deverakonda’s public image, with calls for accountability growing louder.