Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy sparked controversy during a recent media interaction by defending the “Rappa Rappa” posters displayed at his Sattenapalli public meeting. The posters depicted Jagan in a violent avatar alongside the famous dialogue from the film Pushpa 2, suggesting a ruthless political comeback if he returns to power. Instead of distancing himself from the aggressive imagery, Jagan embraced the message, questioning, “What’s wrong in using Pushpa dialogues? Is it against democracy to use a film dialogue?”

Jagan further emphasized his endorsement by mimicking Allu Arjun’s signature beard-touching gesture from Pushpa, heightening the theatrical effect. While film-inspired slogans are common in Telugu pop culture, political experts and critics have condemned the former Chief Minister’s response as reckless and inflammatory. Many argue that political communication should promote unity and constructive dialogue rather than aggressive symbolism.

Adding to the drama, YCP leaders attempted to shift blame onto the opposition TDP by alleging that the person holding the poster was a TDP member. However, this deflection has failed to quell the backlash, and the controversy has put Jagan in a difficult position as damage control efforts are underway. The incident has reignited debates about the tone and responsibility of political messaging in Andhra Pradesh’s charged political environment.