Prakash Raj slams Pawan Kalyan over Women's Bill comment, challenges him to debate
Prakash Raj has criticised actor and Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan for his remarks on the Women's Reservation Bill. Prakash Raj accused Pawan Kalyan of misleading citizens and challenged him to a public debate.
Actor Prakash Raj on Saturday criticised actor and Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan over a social media post the latter shared regarding the Women’s Reservation Bill earlier in the day.
Prakash Raj's latest comments come amid his continued outspoken views on actors and their participation in politics, and follow an earlier apparent jab at actor-turned-politician Vijay.
What Pawan Kalyan said on social media
The exchange began after Pawan Kalyan, on Saturday, posted on X about the Women’s Reservation Bill: "A historic opportunity to strengthen women’s representation in India’s legislatures has been deliberately blocked by the opposition (sic)."
The post referred to the fact that, owing to the Opposition's resistance, the Bill failed a floor test in Lok Sabha.
He added, "The opposition’s stance makes it clear that they lack the intent to support transformative reforms that strengthen Bharat’s democracy and empower women. By refusing to back the Women’s Reservation Bill, they have once again placed political calculations above national progress, delaying a long-overdue step toward inclusive governance and gender justice (sic)."
What Prakash Raj said in response
Responding sharply, Prakash Raj countered the claims and questioned the political intent behind the statement.
He wrote, "Please stop lying to citizens just to please Modi. Women reservation bill was approved in 2023 itself. It can be passed even now . But your gang wanted to pass Delimitation bill which would weaken the representation of South Indian states including Andhra Pradesh. Requesting you not to sell the self respect and the State rights of Andhra People who have made you DCM. I am ready for debate with you to explain. Are you ready #justasking (sic)."
What Prakash Raj said about Vijay earlier
Earlier, speaking at a campaign event for CPI(M) candidate N Pandi in Palani, Prakash Raj laid out what he described as three dominant political approaches — the Dravidian model, the slave model, and the cinema model. Addressing the crowd, he raised concerns over the trend of film stars entering politics, in an apparent reference to Vijay, who makes his political debut in the upcoming Tamil Nadu elections.
He said, "In a film, you can be a doctor, or an engineer or even a Chief Minister. But, in politics, how can you become a CM straight away? Have you spoken about politics like me? Have you stood for the people and Tamil Nadu when they were facing issues or stood up for the language or its self-respect? The love that people have for you is for your talent and not for your politics. You can use the same love for your politics."
The actor further stressed that politics requires consistent grassroots engagement. Citing actor-politician Seeman as an example, he pointed out his long-term involvement in public life, unlike many actors who enter politics without sustained groundwork. He questioned voters on what kind of governance they prefer and emphasised that political responsibility differs significantly from cinematic popularity.
Highlighting the distinction, Prakash Raj added, "People stood in queues in the heat, put up cut-outs, bought tickets, and ignored their homes and work to show you love, and now you are using that for your political entry? Look, if I like an actor, I can whistle until my throat goes hoarse. But I cannot give them the country. Politics is different; cinema is different. That love is different; this responsibility is different. One must get on the ground and speak."
Prakash Raj has previously worked with Pawan Kalyan in films like Jalsa and Vakeel Saab. He shares a long-standing professional association with Vijay, having appeared together in films such as Ghilli, Sivakasi, Villu, and Aathi, and will be seen with Thalapathy in Jana Nayagan.
Actor Prakash Raj on Saturday criticised actor and Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan over a social media post the latter shared regarding the Women’s Reservation Bill earlier in the day.
Prakash Raj's latest comments come amid his continued outspoken views on actors and their participation in politics, and follow an earlier apparent jab at actor-turned-politician Vijay.
What Pawan Kalyan said on social media
The exchange began after Pawan Kalyan, on Saturday, posted on X about the Women’s Reservation Bill: "A historic opportunity to strengthen women’s representation in India’s legislatures has been deliberately blocked by the opposition (sic)."
The post referred to the fact that, owing to the Opposition's resistance, the Bill failed a floor test in Lok Sabha.
He added, "The opposition’s stance makes it clear that they lack the intent to support transformative reforms that strengthen Bharat’s democracy and empower women. By refusing to back the Women’s Reservation Bill, they have once again placed political calculations above national progress, delaying a long-overdue step toward inclusive governance and gender justice (sic)."
What Prakash Raj said in response
Responding sharply, Prakash Raj countered the claims and questioned the political intent behind the statement.
He wrote, "Please stop lying to citizens just to please Modi. Women reservation bill was approved in 2023 itself. It can be passed even now . But your gang wanted to pass Delimitation bill which would weaken the representation of South Indian states including Andhra Pradesh. Requesting you not to sell the self respect and the State rights of Andhra People who have made you DCM. I am ready for debate with you to explain. Are you ready #justasking (sic)."
What Prakash Raj said about Vijay earlier
Earlier, speaking at a campaign event for CPI(M) candidate N Pandi in Palani, Prakash Raj laid out what he described as three dominant political approaches — the Dravidian model, the slave model, and the cinema model. Addressing the crowd, he raised concerns over the trend of film stars entering politics, in an apparent reference to Vijay, who makes his political debut in the upcoming Tamil Nadu elections.
He said, "In a film, you can be a doctor, or an engineer or even a Chief Minister. But, in politics, how can you become a CM straight away? Have you spoken about politics like me? Have you stood for the people and Tamil Nadu when they were facing issues or stood up for the language or its self-respect? The love that people have for you is for your talent and not for your politics. You can use the same love for your politics."
The actor further stressed that politics requires consistent grassroots engagement. Citing actor-politician Seeman as an example, he pointed out his long-term involvement in public life, unlike many actors who enter politics without sustained groundwork. He questioned voters on what kind of governance they prefer and emphasised that political responsibility differs significantly from cinematic popularity.
Highlighting the distinction, Prakash Raj added, "People stood in queues in the heat, put up cut-outs, bought tickets, and ignored their homes and work to show you love, and now you are using that for your political entry? Look, if I like an actor, I can whistle until my throat goes hoarse. But I cannot give them the country. Politics is different; cinema is different. That love is different; this responsibility is different. One must get on the ground and speak."
Prakash Raj has previously worked with Pawan Kalyan in films like Jalsa and Vakeel Saab. He shares a long-standing professional association with Vijay, having appeared together in films such as Ghilli, Sivakasi, Villu, and Aathi, and will be seen with Thalapathy in Jana Nayagan.
