Nandi Controversy: Posani Hits Back At Nara Lokesh, Asks AP Leaders To Emulate KCR 

Hyderabad: Tollywood director and producer Posani Krishna Murali on Tuesday expressed his displeasure over the remarks made by AP Minister Nara Lokesh. Speaking to media persons at a press conference held here, Posani said Nara Lokesh has made the Tollywood celebrities "Telugu Rohingyas".

It may be recalled that Nara Lokesh said that the AP state government would ban announcing Nandi Awards if the the ongoing controversy turned murkier. "Those who do not even have an Aadhar and voter card are making comments on the prestigious awards," he said.

Taking strong exception to Nara Lokesh's remarks, Posani sought to know as to why the AP politicians are building houses in Telangana even after the state got bifurcated. "How can you play politics over the issue," he questioned Lokesh.

He further said that AP political leaders should learn from Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao. "Hyderabad is a joint capital of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Anybody can reside in the city. The AP leaders, who are improving their assets in Hyderabad, are making comments by sitting somewhere in Andhra Pradesh," he said.

On this occasion, Posani decided to give back the Nandi award he received from the AP government for the movie - 'Temper'. "I am ashamed of receiving this award. If I have accepted people may think that Posani accepted it as he belongs to Kamma community," he said.

He also supported the idea of selecting Nandi awardees through Interactive Voice Response System (IVRS) method as suggested by AP CM Chandrababu Naidu, so that the people would become judges in announcing the awards.