The collision of Bollywood glamour and Tollywood mass appeal has created one of the biggest digital firestorms of 2026!
When it was announced that Bollywood actress Urvashi Rautela was teaming up with 64-year-old Telugu cinema veteran and politician Nandamuri Balakrishna for the action-entertainer Daaku Maharaaj, expectations were sky-high. However, the release of the film’s high-energy track, ‘Dabidi Dibidi’, instantly triggered a massive wave of online backlash and heated debates.
Now, Urvashi Rautela is finally setting the record straight! In a recent, highly candid interview with Radio Nasha, the actress directly addressed the trolling, defended her co-star’s controversial public image, and dropped some surprising anecdotes from the set.
Here is the complete breakdown of the Daaku Maharaaj controversy and Urvashi’s fiery response!
The ‘Dabidi Dibidi’ Backlash: Age Gaps & Choreography!
The controversy primarily erupted when the music video for ‘Dabidi Dibidi’ hit the internet.
Netizens were quick to point out and criticize the noticeable 34-year age gap between the 30-year-old Urvashi and the 64-year-old Balakrishna. Furthermore, the internet aggressively trolled the song’s choreography, with many social media users labeling the dance moves as “cringe-worthy” and “vulgar”.
Addressing the intense scrutiny, Urvashi acknowledged that the age difference might seem “shocking” to some, but she fiercely defended the pairing by drawing a historical parallel. She pointed out that massive age gaps between leading men and female co-stars were incredibly common during the era of iconic actresses like Sridevi, shutting down the sudden outrage.
Snowballing Controversies!
Speaking about how the negativity surrounding the song spiraled out of control, Urvashi suggested that the internet echo chamber blew things out of proportion.
“I don’t know sometimes it’s like one thing leads to another thing, then third thing, fourth thing… it was like that,” she explained during her radio interaction, implying that the online trolling had an unfair snowball effect. Despite the intense criticism, the song remained in the final cut of the film and continued to trend heavily across social platforms.
Defending Balakrishna’s “Angry” Viral Videos!
Nandamuri Balakrishna frequently makes headlines for his highly publicized and sometimes aggressive interactions with fans—including viral clips where he appears to push people or throw their phones.
When asked about these controversial moments, Urvashi’s response left many surprised! She admitted to witnessing these incidents firsthand on set but offered a completely different perspective.
“Yeah, many times I’ve seen… and it always used to be like… it used to be fun watching all this,” she remarked. She further claimed that the fans themselves do not take offense to the veteran actor’s actions. “They also love it… they are also happy… you won’t imagine,” she stated, suggesting that the public embraces his raw, unfiltered persona as part of his massive superstar image.
The “Childlike” Co-Star & A Valentine’s Day Surprise!
Shattering the perception that Balakrishna is intimidating or difficult to work with, Urvashi painted a picture of a warm, highly energetic co-star.
She described him as being “very childlike and very fun-loving,” noting that he is incredibly down-to-earth and especially loves interacting with kids.
To prove her point, she shared a sweet, unexpected personal anecdote: “Last year on Valentine’s Day, Balakrishna garu was the first person who wished me”.
Focusing on the Action!
Despite the digital noise surrounding the song and the age gap, Urvashi remains incredibly proud of Daaku Maharaaj. Calling herself “lucky” to have collaborated with the Tollywood legend, she urged audiences to look past the controversies and focus on the film’s high-octane sequences. “If you watch the film, do watch our action sequences also… that is really kick,” she promised.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the Daaku Maharaaj controversy about?
The controversy revolves around the Telugu film Daaku Maharaaj, specifically the song ‘Dabidi Dibidi’. Netizens heavily criticized the choreography, calling it vulgar, and debated the 34-year age gap between leads Urvashi Rautela and Nandamuri Balakrishna.
2. How did Urvashi Rautela defend the age gap in the film?
Urvashi defended the casting by pointing out that such significant age gaps between actors were incredibly common in Indian cinema, citing the era of the legendary actress Sridevi as an example.
3. What did Urvashi say about Balakrishna’s viral angry videos?
Addressing clips where Balakrishna appears to aggressively push fans or throw phones, Urvashi stated she has witnessed it but found it “fun” to watch. She claimed that fans actually “love it” and are happy to interact with him, regardless of his strong reactions.
4. How did Urvashi describe her experience working with Nandamuri Balakrishna?
Despite the backlash, she described her working experience as “really amazing.” She called Balakrishna “super energetic,” “down to earth,” and “childlike,” revealing he was even the first person to wish her on Valentine’s Day last year.
