Entertainment – Parthiban Issues Public Apology After Comment on Actress Trisha Sparks Debate
Entertainment – Actor and filmmaker Radhakrishnan Parthiban has publicly expressed regret after a remark he made about actress Trisha during a recent awards ceremony drew criticism online. The veteran Tamil cinema personality clarified that the statement was made unintentionally during a rapid-fire segment at the event and said he did not intend to offend anyone.
Comment Made During Awards Event
Parthiban addressed the issue through a post on his social media platform X, where he shared an audio message explaining the circumstances surrounding the incident. According to him, the moment occurred during the Galatta Awards event while he was answering a series of quick questions on stage.
He explained that the questions were being asked in rapid succession, similar to a rapid-fire round. During the segment, an image of actress Trisha appeared on the screen, prompting the audience to shout “Kundavai,” referring to the character she portrayed in director Mani Ratnam’s historical epic Ponniyin Selvan.
Parthiban said he reacted spontaneously to the audience response. Playing on the word “Kundavai,” he made a remark suggesting that “Kundavai should be made to sit at home to avoid problems.” The word “Kundavai” can also be interpreted as a phrase meaning to make someone sit down, which he said led him to improvise the comment.
Reaction Inside the Auditorium
According to Parthiban, the audience at the venue responded with applause after his remark, and he initially did not realise that the comment could be interpreted negatively. However, the situation changed shortly after he stepped off the stage.
The filmmaker said that journalist and television personality Rangaraj Pandey later pointed out that the remark might not have been appropriate and could be misunderstood. After hearing this feedback, Parthiban said he immediately asked the event organisers not to release the particular segment publicly.
Despite that request, a video recorded by someone present at the venue later circulated online, bringing the comment into public discussion.
Actor Expresses Regret
In his audio message, Parthiban acknowledged that the remark had hurt some people and expressed sincere regret for the situation. He said the comment was made without careful thought in the middle of a fast-paced conversation on stage.
The actor emphasised that he does not support comments that could be perceived as disrespectful toward women. He also noted that during his visits to colleges and public events, he frequently speaks about the importance of women’s independence and personal freedom.
Parthiban added that women represent one of the most powerful creative forces in society and said he hopes the issue does not escalate further.
Trisha Responds to the Controversy
The controversy intensified after actress Trisha shared a response through the stories section of her Instagram account. In her post, she explained that her name and photograph were reportedly included in the event’s presentation shortly before the segment took place.
According to her statement, the organisers informed her that the inclusion was requested at the last minute by an individual through an assistant.
Trisha also criticised the remark made about her during the event, stating that simply having a microphone does not make a comment humorous or intelligent. She suggested that careless statements often reveal more about the speaker than the person they are directed toward.
Online Reaction and Industry Attention
Following the circulation of the video clip and the actress’s response, the incident sparked conversations across social media platforms. Many users debated whether the comment was meant as a harmless joke or crossed the line into inappropriate humour.
Parthiban’s apology appears to be an attempt to address those concerns and clarify his intentions. While public discussions continue, both statements have drawn attention within the Tamil film industry and among fans.