Picture a young girl sitting in front of her television, watching stories of women breaking barriers and reshaping society in films like ‘Mrs.’ She sees herself in these characters, dreaming of a world where her gender won't define her potential. Yet in the same media landscape, influential figures like Telugu cinema icon Chiranjeevi remind us how deeply entrenched old mindsets remain. His recent comments about wanting a grandson to "continue the family legacy" serve as a sobering reminder that while our stories on screen may champion equality, the storytellers themselves sometimes still cling to outdated beliefs about a daughter's worth.
This isn't just about one celebrity's remarks, it's about the countless dinner table conversations these comments reflect, the subtle ways society still whispers that a family's legacy flows through sons alone. When Chiranjeevi spoke at the Brahma Anandam pre-release event, his words resonated beyond the venue, sparking a discussion in homes across the country where daughters continue to prove their capability to carry on any legacy they desire.
Chiranjeevi's Grandson Comment
At the Brahma Anandam pre-release event, Chiranjeevi's remarks about his family’s future sparked a social media firestorm. The veteran actor shared his desire for a grandson to "continue his family legacy," referencing his son, Ram Charan, and daughter-in-law Upasana's daughter, Klin Kaara, born in 2023. He joked that his home felt like a "ladies' hostel" because of the granddaughters surrounding him.
VIDEO | During an event in Hyderabad yesterday, Telugu actor Chiranjeevi said, "Whenever I stay at home, I don’t feel like spending time with my granddaughters. Instead, I often feel like a hostel warden. I always keep wishing and telling son Ram Charan, at least this time, have… pic.twitter.com/edxaJxOQu1
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 12, 2025
Chiranjeevi expressed his wish to have a grandson, stating, “When I’m at home, it doesn’t feel like I’m surrounded by my granddaughters; it feels like I’m a ladies’ hostel warden, surrounded by ladies all around. I keep wishing and telling Charan, at least this time, have a boy so that our legacy continues. But his daughter is the apple of his eye... I’m scared that he might again have a girl.”
Mixed Reactions from Fans and Critics
Chiranjeevi’s comments have since divided opinions across social media. While some fans defended him, claiming his remarks were made in jest, others criticised them for reinforcing outdated and sexist stereotypes. Critics pointed out that the idea of "continuing the family legacy" through a male heir is a deeply ingrained societal norm in many parts of India.
One Twitter user wrote, “Past few days Chiranjeevi is going south of his image!! Including vulgarity words on stage – commenting on girl children as not heirs – telling about illegal affairs – he was not seen to support his brother, Pawan Kalyan, at times but claims Janasena as his own now.”
Chiranjeevi is Worst to the Core. I Condemn His comments regarding the Girl Childs. #ChiranjeeviMisogynyUnmasked
— Daya Chowdary DC (@chowdary_daya1) February 12, 2025
pic.twitter.com/5olqubCEhQ
Chiranjeevi is scared his son Ram Charan might have another daughter 😡
— Naveena (@TheNaveena) February 12, 2025
In 2025, the obsession with a male heir continues.
Disappointing, but not surprising -
PS - I have a girl and I have heard from 100s of people to give birth to a boy next. It feels horrible when people… pic.twitter.com/1jP81E0QT3
There’s nothing wrong with wanting a boy in a house full of girls.
— Satya (@YoursSatya) February 12, 2025
The problem arises when someone desires only a boy and disregards having a girl. Wanting both a boy and a girl is about balance, not bias.
Others expressed disappointment, with one tweet stating, “Dear Chiranjeevi garu, I have respect for you as an actor. However, I would appreciate some clarification on your recent statement. It came across as misogynistic and seemed to imply that a legacy can only be carried forward by a male child or men. Did you truly mean to suggest this? Are you uncomfortable with the possibility of your son and daughter-in-law having another girl child?”
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Chiranjeevi Family Background
Chiranjeevi, who is already the father of two daughters, Sreeja Konidela and Sushmita Konidela, has also been blessed with granddaughters. Sreeja is the mother of two daughters, Navishka and Nivrati, while Sushmita has two daughters, Samara and Samhitha. His comments, therefore, seemed to suggest that the presence of granddaughters does not fulfill his expectation of carrying on the family name or legacy, further highlighting the misogyny many women in Indian families face.
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Chiranjeevi’s Upcoming Project
Despite the controversy surrounding his recent statements, Chiranjeevi remains a beloved figure in the Indian film industry. On the professional front, the actor is set to appear in ‘Vishwambhara’, which is highly anticipated by fans.
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