Every director faces setbacks in their career, and Maruthi is no exception. While he has delivered flops in the past, the backlash following The Raja Saab seems to be on an entirely different level.
The criticism intensified after the film’s OTT premiere, with social media users dissecting several scenes and calling out what they described as outdated and uninspired writing. Clips and screenshots from certain sequences have gone viral, further fueling the trolling. Some netizens have even drawn unflattering comparisons with Meher Ramesh, making the online chatter even harsher.
Amid the negativity, industry buzz suggests that top stars may be cautious about collaborating with him at this point. Although Maruthi recently mentioned plans to direct a film with Chiranjeevi, insiders claim that securing dates—even from mid-range heroes—could prove challenging in the current scenario.
However, trade analysts believe it may be too early to write him off. Maruthi initially built his reputation with youthful entertainers featuring newcomers and fresh talent. A return to that space, with a sharper focus on strong writing and vibrant storytelling, could help him stage a solid comeback.
Lavanya Tripathi Reacts to Criticism Over Chiranjeevi’s Remarks
Megastar Chiranjeevi has always been regarded as a guiding force in Tollywood, often stepping forward whenever the industry faces challenges. Over the years, he has earned immense respect not only as a legendary star but also as a responsible elder who extends support whenever needed. Beyond his cinematic achievements, Chiranjeevi has built a strong reputation through social service initiatives like the Blood Bank and Eye Bank, cementing his place as a socially responsible leader.
However, a recent comment by a journalist has sparked debate on social media.
It is known that Ram Charan and Upasana recently welcomed twins — a baby boy and a baby girl — on February 1, 2026. Chiranjeevi expressed his joy at a media interaction following the happy news. But a journalist brought up one of Chiranjeevi’s earlier remarks and posted a critical tweet, suggesting that there seemed to be more celebration for the birth of the baby boy compared to when Charan’s first daughter, Klin Kaara, was born.
Before making such remarks, many fans pointed out that context matters. In February 2025, at a public event, Chiranjeevi had jokingly said that he already had four granddaughters at home and felt like a “ladies’ hostel warden.” In a light-hearted tone, he added that it would be nice if Ram Charan had a boy to carry forward the family legacy, humorously saying he feared another girl might be born. Though clearly said in jest, a section of people had criticized him at the time.
Now, with the journalist’s recent tweet seen as a sarcastic reference to that old comment, Lavanya Tripathi strongly responded on behalf of the Mega family. As the daughter-in-law of the family — married to Varun Tej, son of Nagababu — Lavanya defended her father-in-law’s character and attempted to put an end to the negativity.
Fans appreciated her firm yet dignified response, saying she stood up for the family when unnecessary controversy was being created. Members and well-wishers of the Mega family have also expressed support for Lavanya, praising her for speaking out.
Lavanya reportedly made it clear that dragging old remarks to create controversy during a joyful family moment is inappropriate. She subtly warned against making baseless comments about the Mega or Allu families and emphasized that such negativity is unwarranted at a time of celebration.