Ram Gopal Varma demands a public apology from TDP MLA

Film director Ram Gopal Varma has demanded a public apology from TDP MLA from Kurnool, SV Mohan Reddy. Earlier, Reddy had filed a complaint against the filmmaker for ‘defaming’ TDP Chief Chandrababu Naidu in one of the songs from his upcoming film, Lakshmi’s NTR.

“Mr.S V Mohan Reddy Kurnool MLA should issue a public apology within 48 hrs regarding complaint involving Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Mr.N Chandra Babu Naidu failing which my advocate Mr.Prabhakar Sripada will initiate legal proceedings,” Ram Gopal Varma tweeted as he posted photos of the legal notice issued to the MLA.

The notice, represented by Ram Gopal Varma’s lawyer, Prabhakar Sripada, read, “My client is a reputed film maker having produced over 50 movies in Telugu, Hindi and other languages. He won enjoys good reputation in his profession. He has made several movies with political themes including Sarkar, Raktacharitra etc which have been widely acclaimed by the public.”

Referring to the complaint lodged by Reddy, the legal notice further read, “Your complaint is malicious and motivated. To start with, there is no defamation of anyone in the said teaser. It is not mentioning anybody by name and only showing various people who were involved in the incidents at that period of time which is public knowledge for more than two decades. Secondly, being a member of Legislative Assembly, you should be aware of the fact that defamation proceedings can only be initiated by the person who is said to have been defamed. Therefore, in the instant case, Chandrababu Naidu must initiate defamation proceedings and you have no locus standi to lodge a police complaint against my client.”

Mentioning that the politician had widely publicised his complaint in an attempt to ‘tarnish’ Ram Gopal Varma’s image, the notice states that a public apology must be issued and the police complaint must be withdrawn within 48 hours, failing which, Varma will be constrained to initiate legal action (both civil and criminal) against the TDP MLA.

Earlier, in his complaint, the TDP MLA, while referring to the Vennupotu song said, “The meaning of the song conveys as if our Chandrababu Naidu had plotted a conspiracy and back stabbed Ex. Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao. So kindly take necessary action against the maker of the movie, Ram Gopal Varma (sic).”

Lakshmi’s NTR is touted to be a biopic of the popular actor and politician, NT Rama Rao, and is expected to focus more on his personal life.