Actor Kasthuri Shankar missing following complaint for anti-Telugu remarks: Report

Actor Kasthuri Shankar, who also worked with Kamal Haasan in his 1996 film Indian, is absconding after a police complaint against her for hurting the sentiments of the Telugu community with her statements at an event.

In Short

• Kasthuri Shankar is absconding after a police complaint
• The actor sought anticipatory bail from Madras High Court
• She made derogatory remarks about the Telugu community at an event

Actor Kasthuri Shankar, who has worked in all the South Indian film industries, is reportedly absconding after a police complaint against her for hurting the sentiments of the Telugu community. As per a report published in Kerala Kaumudi, the actor was not found at her place when the police reached her house in Poes Garden, Chennai, for further questioning on the matter.

The report mentioned that the actor had filed for anticipatory bail from the Madras High Court, as the police continued to investigate the matter following several complaints from the public in Madurai and Chennai about her recent derogatory statements against the Telugu community.

It was reported earlier that Kasthuri was present at an event in Tamil Nadu when she called Telugu-speaking people descendants of courtesans who served ancient kings. The actor was then issued legal notices as the authorities became active in the case.

However, when the police tried to probe ahead by asking her questions, she was not found at her place. The report added that the actor's phone was also switched off, and she was nowhere to be traced. Speculations are rife about her seeking shelter somewhere in Andhra Pradesh.

Meanwhile, the actor, who has been active in the industry for over 15 years, released an official statement on social media on November 5, Tuesday, seeking an apology from those hurt by her statement.

A part of her long note posted on X read, "I reiterate that my expressed opinions are contextually specific to certain persons and not general to the greater Telugu community. It was never my intention to hurt or offend my Telugu extended family. I am sorry for any inadvertent ill feeling. In the interest of all round amity, I withdraw all references to Telugu in my speech delivered on November 3rd, 2024 (sic)."

Kasthuri is known for her work in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada language films. She first worked as a model and then ventured into the movies with the 1991 film Aatha Un Koyilile. She also appeared in Kamal Haasan's 1996 film Indian, and the 1997 film Annamayya. She campaigned for the BJP from Madurai during the 2024 Indian general elections.