CM Chandrababu Naidu Has Beaten Me Says Minister Pocharam

Tamil actor-director R. Parthiban has come into the spotlight after approaching the Madras High Court seeking a “no caste, no religion” certificate, following controversy over his recent remarks at a public event.
The court, after hearing his petition, directed the Sholinganallur Regional Commissioner to issue the certificate without delay and set April 29 as the deadline for compliance.

The issue traces back to the pre-release event of Ustaad Bhagat Singh, where Parthiban referred to himself as a “Telugu boy from the Naidu caste,” while also admitting that he is not fluent in Telugu. His comments quickly sparked criticism on social media, with many questioning the relevance of caste identity at a film event and calling it unnecessary.

Amid the backlash, Parthiban reportedly applied for an official certificate renouncing both caste and religious identity. With no immediate progress from authorities, he moved the court seeking direction. Following the filing, he also addressed the media, acknowledging that his remarks had hurt sentiments and stating that the incident led him to reflect and take a conscious decision to distance himself from caste and religion.
The court, while hearing the matter, noted the intent behind his plea and directed officials to act within the given timeframe.

The development has gone viral online, drawing mixed reactions—while some have praised it as a progressive step, others continue to debate whether it stems from genuine conviction or public pressure. A film producer also commented that Parthiban may have highlighted his Telugu Naidu identity to connect better with Telugu audiences, but the approach did not resonate as intended.