Actor-politician Khushbu Sundar has strongly criticised DMK leader and former Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin over his controversial remarks involving actor Trisha Krishnan, calling his comments “crass” and urging him to issue an unconditional public apology. Her statement came after Udhayanidhi was detained in connection with the controversy, which has triggered a major political and social backlash in Tamil Nadu.
The controversy stems from a speech delivered by Udhayanidhi at a public meeting on the Cauvery water dispute, where he made a comment that many interpreted as a double entendre involving Trisha Krishnan. The remark quickly went viral, prompting outrage from political leaders, celebrities and social media users, who accused him of objectifying the actor and lowering the standard of public discourse. An FIR was subsequently registered against the DMK leader, and he was later detained by police before being released.
Reacting to the incident, Khushbu took to social media to condemn the statement in unequivocal terms. She said there was no justification for dragging a woman’s name into political rhetoric and described the speech as “crass” and unbecoming of someone holding public office. According to Khushbu, political disagreements should never come at the expense of a woman’s dignity or reputation. She also insisted that Trisha deserved a public apology from Udhayanidhi for the controversy his remarks had created.
Khushbu further argued that leaders must exercise greater responsibility while addressing public gatherings, especially when their words can influence millions. She maintained that using women as subjects of political jokes or innuendo was unacceptable regardless of party affiliation. Her comments echoed similar concerns raised by several women’s rights advocates, who argued that female celebrities should not become collateral damage in political battles.
Singer Chinmayi Sripaada also joined the criticism, questioning the normalisation of misogynistic language in politics. She argued that women should not be reduced to punchlines or used as rhetorical devices during political speeches. Both Chinmayi and Khushbu urged political leaders across party lines to uphold basic standards of respect while addressing public issues.
Meanwhile, Udhayanidhi has defended himself, claiming that his remarks were misunderstood and insisting they referred to the Cauvery river rather than actor Trisha. He has described the case against him as politically motivated and accused the ruling government of targeting opposition leaders through fabricated cases. Despite his clarification, criticism has continued to mount, with opposition parties and several public figures demanding accountability and a formal apology.
The controversy has reignited discussions about sexism in political discourse and the treatment of women in public life. Social media users remain sharply divided, with some defending Udhayanidhi’s explanation while many others argue that the remark was inappropriate irrespective of intent. The episode has also highlighted the growing expectation that political leaders maintain civility and avoid comments that could be perceived as demeaning towards women.