Mumbai/Hyderabad: Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut has come out in support of Telugu star Mahesh Babu about his recent comment that Bollywood “can't afford me”.
While the actor later clarified that his comment was blown out of proportion and that he simply did not want to work for any other film industry, Kangana came in his support when asked to make a statement on his remarks.
The “Dhaakad” actress stated "He's right, Bollywood cannot afford Mahesh Babu because I know for a fact that many filmmakers offer him many movies and he and his generation singlehandedly have made the Telugu film industry the number one film industry in India. So now, Bollywood can definitely not afford them."
“Why create controversies on small things? If he said that in some context, I think it only makes sense. We can also say Hollywood cannot afford us or say whatever way we want to convey our point. But here's one thing, I think he has shown respect for his work and industry which is why he has reached the level he is at today and we cannot deny that. The Telugu film industry did not get anything on a platter. They've left behind everyone, even the Tamil industry, in recent years. We have lots to learn from them. As for the languages, I have talked about it at length. I believe all languages in our country are equally respectable. It is a small thing that we respect each other's languages," she added.
The Telugu star's comments made at a promotional event of his production “Major” in Hyderabad recently led to a controversy on social media. At the event, he had said, “I may sound arrogant, I did get a lot of offers in Hindi. But I think they can't afford me. I don't want to waste my time. The stardom and love I have here in Telugu cinema, I never thought of going to another industry.”
Mahesh Babu had attended the trailer launch event of his latest upcoming production venture “Major” on Monday and expressed his pleasure that the lines of what constitutes Indian cinema have "blurred" with the mega success of various blockbuster offerings of Telugu movies nationwide, closing the language and region divide.
"I always wanted to do Telugu films and wished people across India would watch it. And now when that is happening I'm very happy. I always had this strong opinion that my strength is Telugu films and the emotion I understand is the Telugu film emotion. Today the emotion is so strong, films have become so big that the lines have blurred and it's become Indian cinema," Babu said at the trailer launch of 'Major'. (UNI)