On Thursday, May 30, 2024, a video of Telugu politician and senior star actor Balakrishna, also known as Balayya, violently pushing Tamil actress Anjali on stage during a public event in front of an enthusiastic audience was shared on Twitter, leaving the whole country fuming. The video was filmed at a promotional event of the Telugu film Gangs of Godavari, which opens in theaters today. 

pic.twitter.com/D5LXzUHRB1

— Out of Context Telugu (@OutOfContextTel) May 29, 2024

Though a lengthier version of the video, taken from a live stream of the Gangs of Godavari event, showcased that 64 year old Balakrishna made up with the 37 year old Anjali by giving her a high-five, Indian netizens did not take lightly to the incident, and expressed their gross disappointment over both the actor and men in general, who keep getting away after disrespectful deeds like this. 

Sagam paniki puttina kodukulu andharu sagam videos ye share chesthunaru so Clarity ga full video 😊#NandamuriBalakrishna pic.twitter.com/2HDdpxy8Jl

— Gopi Nath NBK (@Balayya_Garu) May 29, 2024

Actor-politician Nandamuri Balakrishna caught on camera pushing female co-star
(@Akshita_N)#news #ITVideo @PoojaShali #Balakrishna pic.twitter.com/jmBvswE2qp

— IndiaToday (@IndiaToday) May 30, 2024

Tweets of both support and blame kept pouring in for Anjali, who as the viral video showcased was shocked for a split second at the push, but immediately bounced back, managing the situation by laughing it off. Balakrishna was also taken to task, especially since film Twitter noted that this isn't his first tryst with being violent with/disrespectful towards a colleague.  

Not one person expressed their discomfort. Not one. Ridiculous behaviour by the gent. https://t.co/a9hUP7fFxQ

— Nakuul Mehta (@NakuulMehta) May 30, 2024

They trolled radhika apte when she spoke about how problematic and misogynistic that industry is/was in general. No wonder they are cheering for his act. https://t.co/ZfFwTyIsAF

— Shanaya 🍂 (@TweetMePlis) May 30, 2024

💯

We all have the right to pick our battles.

Not everyone can instantly stand up to a bully. Few have the appetite for confrontation. And fewer still can handle such public humiliation with poise & laughter.

The comments are undermining her strength!

— Nikhil Inamdar (@Nik_Inamdar) May 30, 2024

Amidst calls for a public apology by Balakrishna, and for Anjali to 'take a stand' in the incident, the actress around midnight took to Twitter to call for a truce. Once again, her stance in the Balayya incident is being met with disappointed reactions from people online. 

Forced tweet! 😂 that’s okay it’s ur choice!! But deep down inside uk what happened !😌

— freak out (@freaksoul123) May 30, 2024

You have kill your self respect....

— Siva turner (@siva_turner) May 30, 2024

i knew this would come and she’d be name called& dissed just like how she was criticized for her helpless laugh on stage, just like how she will be criticized,name called if & when she decides to speak about it if/when she does. All I wish is she gathers the courage to,regardless https://t.co/NELMpXYbdq

— harini ☕️🌷🐝 (@chaivanism) May 31, 2024

Feminism died hundred deaths https://t.co/KF7zo31GBd pic.twitter.com/CfWdtju26w

— Targaryen Reddy 🔥🐉 (@LaLaBheemla) May 31, 2024

This is so fckng sad, no friend of mine will humiliate like that in public and I won’t be angry. You may respect him Anjali but he doesn’t respect you. https://t.co/kJwoa3h7aE

— Yen (@CriipticGirl) May 31, 2024

The minute they stand up and raise their voice... they'll never get a job.... and they can kiss their film career goodbye.

— Abhi Vikrama (Modi Ka Parivar) (@VishwarupRay) May 31, 2024

Person need to have self-respect. Without it, no matter how far you advance in your career, it won't truly matter.

— Proud Telangana (@Telangana4ever) May 31, 2024

Balkrishna Garu not just Garu.

— Shilpa Godbole (@godbole_shilpa) May 31, 2024

Tweet ‘Settai is my best Tamil film’ if you are in trouble and forced to tweet this. https://t.co/LAsHmtIvk8

— கிருஷ்ணா (@krishk_kumar92) May 31, 2024