A stand-up comedian has been arrested following controversy stemming from his recent performance, in which he made disparaging remarks about various celebrities, including Pawan Kalyan and Ram Charan, as well as referencing Niharika Konidela’s unsuccessful marriage. The Andhra Pradesh Police apprehended Anudeep Katikala three days after a first information report (FIR) was lodged against him at the Kakinada I Town police station, prompted by a complaint from Jana Sena Party member Bade Venkata Krishna.
Katikala, who is based in Hyderabad, is known for his work as a comedian and as the founder of the Silly South Comedy Club, a group of Telugu stand-up performers. He has been active in the comedy scene in both Hyderabad and Bengaluru and produced a special titled The Tollywood Roast Show, which he described as a comprehensive critique of the Tollywood film industry.
The controversy arose from a segment in his act that he characterized as addressing feminism and the social stigma surrounding divorce. He began his set by referencing Ram Charan and used a Telugu term that derogatorily implies a man who depends on his wife’s wealth, crafting a joke about Charan’s financial situation in relation to his wife, Upasana Kamineni, the granddaughter of Apollo Hospitals founder Prathap C Reddy.
Additionally, he made remarks about the divorces of Pawan Kalyan and Niharika Konidela. Although he reportedly acknowledged during his performance that divorce is a serious matter and that individuals have their own motivations for it, this part of his set did not circulate in the clips shared online.
Following the performance, a group of fans congregated outside the Street Comedy Club in Hyderabad, calling for Katikala’s presence and expressing their outrage. In response to the escalating situation, he reportedly turned off his phone and left the venue. On social media platforms, particularly on X, fans urged legal repercussions against him. Jana Sena leader Sandeep Panchakarla publicly admonished Katikala, demanding a video apology and labeling his comedy as disrespectful and of poor taste.
In addition to the initial complaint, Jana Sena State Secretary Akepati Subhashini filed another grievance with the Tirupati District Superintendent of Police. Following calls for an apology, Katikala shared a video on social media, expressing regret if his comments had offended anyone and stating that his intention was to normalize discussions about feminism and divorce through humor. He urged audiences to consider the underlying purpose of his comedic approach.
According to reports from Indian Express, authorities in Kakinada stated that they detained Katikala after receiving the complaint from the Jana Sena Party leader. An FIR was subsequently registered at the Kakinada One Town police station, and an investigation was initiated. He was apprehended while taking a walk with his father in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh.
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