1. Drugs Scandal (2017) One of the biggest scandals to hit Tollywood was the drug racket investigation in 2017. Several prominent actors, directors, and producers were summoned by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) for questioning. Celebrities like Puri Jagannadh, Ravi Teja, and Charmee Kaur were reportedly interrogated regarding their involvement in drug use and trafficking, sparking a huge media frenzy. This scandal rocked the industry and brought into question the lifestyle of many top stars.
2. Sri Reddy Casting Couch Allegations (2018) Actress Sri Reddy made headlines when she alleged the existence of a casting couch culture in Tollywood. She claimed that many actresses had to compromise to get roles in films and went on a social media rampage, accusing prominent industry figures of exploiting young talent. The issue blew up when she staged a semi-nude protest in front of the Telugu Film Chamber, demanding justice for the women in the industry. Her allegations against several high-profile names, including producers and actors, created massive controversy and brought to light the darker side of the film industry.
3. Naga Chaitanya and Samantha Divorce (2021) The highly publicized split between actors Naga Chaitanya and Samantha Ruth Prabhu in 2021 became a topic of much speculation. Once considered one of Tollywood’s most beloved couples, their separation shocked fans and the media. Various reasons, including alleged differences over starting a family, surfaced, but the couple has largely kept the details private. The divorce, however, led to much gossip, especially in the media and on social platforms.
4. Ram Gopal Varma’s Controversial Tweets Director Ram Gopal Varma is known for his films as well as his controversial and often provocative tweets. He has made incendiary remarks about actors, directors, and societal issues, often finding himself in the midst of controversies. His statements regarding the Sri Reddy issue and his attacks on Pawan Kalyan’s fans have stirred public outrage multiple times. RGV’s comments on sensitive political and film-related issues continue to keep him in the limelight for all the wrong reasons.
5. The Pawan Kalyan- RGV Clash (2018) During the height of the Sri Reddy controversy, Pawan Kalyan’s name was dragged into the conversation when RGV admitted to instigating Sri Reddy to abuse Pawan in a video. The video created a massive uproar among Pawan Kalyan’s fans, and the actor-politician himself lashed out at the media and individuals involved. RGV’s involvement made the situation even more dramatic and sensational.
6. Maa Elections (2021) The Movie Artists Association (MAA) elections in 2021 became a dramatic and publicized affair with actors Prakash Raj and Vishnu Manchu competing for the president’s position. The election turned ugly with accusations, mudslinging, and heated verbal exchanges between various members of the industry. Prakash Raj eventually lost to Vishnu Manchu, but the elections exposed significant divisions and camps within the industry.
7. Chiranjeevi vs. Dasari Narayana Rao In the early 2000s, a public feud erupted between legendary director Dasari Narayana Rao and megastar Chiranjeevi. Dasari had made remarks about the alleged monopoly of certain actors (hinting at Chiranjeevi) and their control over the industry. This led to a cold war between two major factions within Tollywood, with their respective supporters engaging in verbal duels and accusations.
8. Mahesh Babu’s ‘Bollywood Can’t Afford Me’ Comment (2022) During the promotion of his film Sarkaru Vaari Paata, superstar Mahesh Babu made a comment that sparked outrage in Bollywood. He stated that “Bollywood cannot afford me,” which was interpreted as an arrogant remark by many in the Hindi film industry. Though he later clarified that his statement was meant to reflect his comfort in the Telugu industry, the controversy remained a hot topic for a while.
9. Prabhas and Anushka Shetty Dating Rumors Ever since the success of Baahubali, rumors about Prabhas and Anushka Shetty being in a relationship have been circulating. Despite both actors consistently denying the rumors, fans and gossip columns continued to fuel the speculation, with every public appearance or statement being dissected for clues. The repeated denials have not put the rumors to rest.
10. Ban on TV Channels by Tollywood Bigwigs (2018) After the media coverage of Sri Reddy’s allegations and the casting couch scandal, several prominent Telugu film producers, including Suresh Babu and Allu Aravind, called for a boycott of certain TV channels that they believed were defaming the industry. Channels like TV9 and ABN Andhra Jyothy were allegedly banned from covering Tollywood events for a period, which led to accusations of media suppression and censorship.
11. Chiranjeevi vs. Mohan Babu The rivalry between Chiranjeevi and Mohan Babu is one of the most talked-about feuds in Tollywood history. Mohan Babu, known for his outspoken nature, has taken several digs at Chiranjeevi over the years. The two stars have clashed over various issues, including industry politics and the dominance of certain actors. One of the major flashpoints occurred when Mohan Babu made a public statement criticizing Chiranjeevi’s decision to enter politics, which escalated into a cold war between their fan bases.

Key Moment: At a public event in 2013, both actors had a tense exchange, which intensified the rivalry. However, in later years, they appeared to bury the hatchet at various public functions, but the tension remains a part of Tollywood’s legacy.

12. Mohan Babu vs. Pawan Kalyan Mohan Babu’s outspoken nature has also brought him into conflict with Pawan Kalyan. This feud came to the forefront during the MAA (Movie Artists Association) elections in 2019, where Mohan Babu openly supported a candidate opposing Pawan Kalyan’s ally. Mohan Babu has publicly criticized Pawan Kalyan’s political career, and this led to a war of words between their respective fan bases.

Key Moment: Mohan Babu, at various press conferences, has made statements against Pawan Kalyan, referring to his political ambitions as unrealistic and unprepared. Pawan Kalyan’s fans did not take these comments lightly, leading to heated exchanges online.

13. Rajasekhar vs. Chiranjeevi Actor Rajasekhar’s feud with Chiranjeevi has been an open secret in Tollywood for years. Rajasekhar has openly criticized Chiranjeevi, particularly in relation to the actor’s political career and his tenure as a politician. In 2008, Rajasekhar made headlines when he questioned Chiranjeevi’s leadership capabilities, stating that he didn’t believe Chiranjeevi was capable of leading a political party. This comment ignited a massive controversy, leading to a backlash from Chiranjeevi’s fan base.

Key Moment: After Rajasekhar’s comments, Chiranjeevi’s fans physically attacked Rajasekhar and his wife Jeevitha’s car, prompting a public apology from Chiranjeevi, who condemned the actions of his fans.

14. Producers Attempting Suicide at Hussain Sagar (2017) In a shocking incident in 2017, a group of Telugu film producers tried to commit mass suicide by jumping into Hussain Sagar lake in Hyderabad. The reason behind the drastic move was the rising financial strain caused by the industry’s top stars, who were demanding exorbitant salaries while their films often resulted in losses for producers. The producers alleged that star-driven projects were financially unviable, leading to severe losses and debt. This incident highlighted the power imbalance between actors and producers and sparked widespread debate within the industry about the sustainability of such high remuneration.

Key Moment: The suicide attempt was foiled by the police, but it led to a crucial dialogue between producers and actors about revenue sharing, budgeting, and the pressures of the star system in Tollywood.

15. Chiranjeevi’s Political Exit and Criticism from Industry Peers After Chiranjeevi’s failed political stint with the Praja Rajyam Party (PRP) and his merger with the Indian National Congress, many in the industry, including peers like Mohan Babu and Rajasekhar, publicly criticized him. Chiranjeevi’s move to politics had initially been met with great expectations, but his inability to sustain the party led to widespread disappointment among fans and colleagues alike. His political choices were heavily criticized, particularly by Rajasekhar, who accused Chiranjeevi of lacking the vision to succeed in politics.
16. Dasari Narayana Rao vs. Mega Family Legendary director Dasari Narayana Rao was known for his candid opinions about the Telugu film industry. His ongoing rivalry with the “Mega” family, especially Chiranjeevi, was a constant topic of discussion. Dasari often criticized the dominance of a few families in Tollywood, implying that Chiranjeevi’s family controlled the industry. This feud created two distinct factions in Tollywood—those who sided with Dasari and those loyal to Chiranjeevi.

Key Moment: The rivalry became public when Dasari openly criticized Chiranjeevi’s political ambitions and questioned the actor’s ability to contribute to the film industry while juggling political commitments.

17. The Dispute over Film Releases: Pawan Kalyan vs. Producers Pawan Kalyan has often found himself in disputes with Tollywood producers. In 2017, Pawan Kalyan’s political commitments and his erratic schedule caused delays in the shooting of his films. This led to a clash with producers, who were frustrated with the delays and increasing production costs. His film Agnyaathavaasi became a major point of contention, as it was released amidst high expectations but ended up being a massive flop, leading to huge financial losses for the producers.

Key Moment: Several producers publicly criticized Pawan Kalyan for not committing enough time to his films and prioritizing politics over cinema, which led to a lot of internal tension within Tollywood.

18. Balakrishna’s Off-Screen Fights Actor and politician Nandamuri Balakrishna has often made headlines for his temper. There have been several instances where Balakrishna has been caught on camera physically assaulting fans or individuals at public events. These incidents have sparked outrage, but Balakrishna’s fans continue to support him. His off-screen fights have created a controversial image, with many questioning his conduct in public.

Key Moment: In one particular instance, Balakrishna slapped a fan at a public event for trying to take a selfie, leading to widespread criticism and a debate about the behavior of film stars in public spaces.

These controversies have not only impacted the individuals involved but have also shaped the discourse in Tollywood, leading to changes in how the industry operates and how stars interact with producers, directors, and their fan bases

These controversies have brought Tollywood into the spotlight for reasons beyond just cinema, with the industry facing public scrutiny on various occasions. Some of these incidents have sparked much-needed conversations about transparency, ethics, and personal responsibility in the film world.