Actor Lavanya Tripathi strongly defended her father-in-law, Telugu cinema legend Chiranjeevi, after a journalist’s social media post accused the megastar of gender bias. The controversy resurfaced when one of Chiranjeevi’s past remarks about hoping for a male grandchild began circulating online again, drawing criticism from some users who labelled the comment sexist.
Lavanya Tripathi comes out in support
Lavanya, who is married to Chiranjeevi’s nephew Varun Tej, addressed the issue on X (formerly Twitter). She explained that she usually chooses to stay away from online negativity but felt compelled to respond this time. “I usually ignore tweets like this, but I didn’t expect it from you,” she wrote, calling the comment “in extremely poor taste” for turning what should have been a joyful family moment into something “unpleasant.”
Standing firmly by Chiranjeevi, Lavanya emphasised that public perception often differs from reality. “You clearly don’t know how he treats the women in his family, especially his granddaughters,” she stated, highlighting the respect and affection he shows toward them. Praising his character further, she added, “Very few men can do even 1 percent of what he does, so it’s best not to comment on people you don’t truly know :)”
Her statement quickly sparked debate across social media platforms. While many users appreciated her stepping forward to support the veteran actor, others questioned her wording. One critic remarked, “Every grandparent is the best… no need to understate others to elevate your family members.” Another user pointed out what they saw as a contradiction, writing, “She says don’t comment about someone you don’t truly know and then says ‘Very few men can do even 1 percent of what he does’, what do you know about all the men?”
All about the controversy
The renewed backlash traces back to a comment Chiranjeevi made earlier about feeling like a “ladies’ hostel warden” because he has four granddaughters. He had also expressed hope that his son, Ram Charan, might have a boy to “continue the family legacy,” a statement that triggered conversations about gender expectations in modern families.
Lavanya’s heartfelt response underscores her loyalty to her family while also reflecting the broader sensitivity surrounding discussions of gender and tradition today.
Lavanya Tripathi breaks silence on Chiranjeevi gender bias controversy
