Ambati Rayudu Faces Criticism for Calling Tollywood Celebrities' Presence a "Publicity Stunt"

Former Indian cricketer Ambati Rayudu has sparked controversy with his remarks during the India-Pakistan cricket match, drawing criticism from netizens. The highly anticipated match saw several Telugu film and political personalities attending in Dubai, including Megastar Chiranjeevi, director Sukumar and his family, actress Urvashi Rautela, among others. The cameras frequently focused on these celebrities during the match.

At one point, when Sukumar appeared on screen, a commentator referred to him as the "Pride of Telugu." However, Rayudu, who was in the commentary box, responded by saying, "This is all just a publicity stunt." He further remarked, "During India-Pakistan matches, they appear on TV more often. It’s just a publicity stunt."

Rayudu’s comments did not sit well with fans of these celebrities, who took to social media to express their outrage. Many criticized his statement, pointing out that Sukumar is a renowned director who does not need to seek publicity. "Sukumar is one of the country’s most respected filmmakers. If he wanted, he could appear on TV every day. He doesn’t need to spend money and travel to Dubai just for a publicity stunt," wrote one user.

Others defended Chiranjeevi, arguing that he is already a widely recognized figure who does not require additional publicity. "Does Rayudu really think Chiranjeevi needs publicity? Does he need to go all the way to Dubai just to be noticed? Rayudu should know better," commented a cricket fan.

Many social media users also criticized Rayudu for making such remarks about fellow Telugu personalities, calling his comments "cheap" and inappropriate.