Fans of Samantha Ruth Prabhu are expressing their disappointment with Naga Chaitanya after he referred to her as his "earlier spouse" in a recent statement concerning remarks made by Telangana minister Konda Surekha. The controversy erupted last week when Surekha suggested that the couple’s divorce was part of a political conspiracy, sparking backlash from the film industry, including Samantha and Chaitanya themselves.
On October 1, Konda Surekha alleged that her political rival KTR had “blackmailed” Samantha into divorcing Chaitanya, a claim that drew sharp criticism. In response to the uproar, both Samantha and Chaitanya released statements. While Samantha called on Surekha to refrain from involving her in political disputes, Chaitanya's statement the following day was met with skepticism from fans.
Chaitanya’s statement, spanning 150 words, notably lacked Samantha’s name, instead opting for the term “earlier spouse.” This choice of words struck many as vague and outdated, prompting fans to take to social media to voice their frustrations. Comments on X (formerly Twitter) reflected their discontent, with one user stating, “Kept using the words spouse... couldn’t once take her name,” while another criticized him for fumbling the situation.
Adding a humorous twist to the criticism, one fan quipped that “Samantha is Voldemort, she who must not be named,” highlighting the perceived awkwardness of Chaitanya’s wording. Many fans also pointed out the timing of Chaitanya’s response, noting that he remained silent during the derogatory comments aimed at Samantha following their divorce but chose to speak out once his family was mentioned in the controversy.
Critics were vocal about their belief that Chaitanya’s lack of specificity in his statement demonstrated a failure to respect Samantha, with one Twitter user lamenting, “'Former spouse,' 'earlier spouse'—anything but saying her actual name. Respect so deep that he threw her to the wolves who have shamed her in every possible way.”
As the fallout continues, fans are left questioning the dynamics between the former couple and hoping for a more respectful acknowledgment of Samantha in the future. The incident highlights the complexities of navigating personal relationships amid public scrutiny and the importance of standing by those we care about, especially in times of controversy.