14 years ago Ad agency Ogilvy had created a series of memorable TV commercials for Cadbury Diary Milk Shots, and the phrase ‘Beta, mann mein laddoo phoota?', followed by, 'Beta, mann mein doosraa laddoo phuta?', had become famous not only in Hindi but also in Tamil ('Kanna, Laddu thinna aasaiya?', 'Kanna, innoru laddu thinna aasaiya?'), Telugu ('Laddu kaavala Nayana?', 'Inko Laddu kaaval Naayna?') among other Indian languages. 

A year later i.e. 13 years ago actor Karthi starred in the Tamil remake of director SS Rajamouli's Telugu film Vikramarkudu (2006). Titled Siruthai (2011), the film incorporated the Ogilvy created Dairy Milk Shots catchphrase, popularizing it once again among movie buffs. This 'Laddu' catchphrase is what has spelled controversy for actor Karthi in 2024. 

During the promotions of his upcoming movie Meiyazhagan, which is releasing in Telugu as Sathyam Sundaram, actor Karthi was asked to react to some of the popular memes from his movies. The Telugu version of the Siruthai Laddu scene was one of them.

Laddu is a hot topic in Telugu states right now, as the central government suspects that the state governed Thirupathi Temple, which is concerned one of the most religious places of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, isn't being as vegetarian as it should be, in making its famous Tirumala Laddu prasad. 

Given the sensitivity around the topic, actor Karthi avoided reacting to the Laddu meme from his movie. "Now we shouldn't talk about laddus. Sensitive topic. We don't wan't that", was Karthi's initial reaction. When the host further clarified that this was a different laddu, Karthi promptly said, "No Laddus. Not now". This for some reason irked Jana Sena Party head Pawan Kalyan, who is an actor turned Deputy Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh. 

Pawan Kalyan made a mountain out of a molehill by reacting, "I am telling this to the film industry too. If you are speaking, speak after knowing/in full. Otherwise stay silent....This is a deep pain, you are making jokes on (Thirupathi Tirumala) Laddu. I saw even in a cinema function (Karthi's Sathyam Sundaram promotions) that 'Laddu is a sensitive issue' (quoting Karthi). Don't you ever say that. Don't. Don't you ever try dare to say that please. I respect you as actors. But when it comes to Sanatana Dharma, please you have to think 100 time before you say a word. One comment..Thank You." 

Actor Karthi tactfully avoids the sensitive #TirumalaLaddu topic, declining a reaction or comment during #Meiyazhagan promotions.

However political narratives are spinning #Karthi's handling into something it totally isn't #Pawanakalyan #SathyamSundarampic.twitter.com/cq3bmp1qhK

— MovieCrow (@MovieCrow) September 24, 2024

Karthi, whose whole family of actors is known in Tamil Nadu for being pious Hindu devotees, took to his X handle to reiterate the same. The Tamil star also apologized for the misunderstanding caused in his senior Pawan Kalyan's mind.

Dear @PawanKalyan sir, with deep respects to you, I apologize for any unintended misunderstanding caused. As a humble devotee of Lord Venkateswara, I always hold our traditions dear. Best regards.

— Karthi (@Karthi_Offl) September 24, 2024