Ustaad Bhagat Singh actor Parthiban apologises for caste remark

Tamil actor R. Parthiban has issued a public apology after his remarks at the pre-release event of “Ustaad Bhagat Singh” sparked controversy.

Parthiban, a veteran in Tamil cinema who plays the main antagonist in the film, attended the Hyderabad event and attempted to connect with Telugu audiences by talking about his roots. Though born and raised in Chennai, he mentioned his Telugu background. However, his reference to “Naidu Abbayi,” linking himself to the same caste as Pawan Kalyan, drew sharp criticism.

The comment quickly went viral and triggered backlash, particularly in Tamil Nadu, with many criticizing the invocation of caste identity on a public platform.

Responding to the controversy, Parthiban took to social media to apologise. He stated that he regrets the remark and acknowledged the hurt caused.

“I fully realize that a mistake has occurred, and I am deeply regretful. I am distressed that I have become the cause of disappointment for so many people. I rely solely on my talent and would never, even unintentionally, seek to make a living by invoking caste identity,” he wrote, adding that he is quick to correct himself when he makes mistakes.

The controversy comes just ahead of the film’s release, with Ustaad Bhagat Singh set to hit theaters tomorrow.

Interestingly, this is not the first time Parthiban has found himself in a controversy recently. He had earlier made remarks involving Trisha Krishnan and her alleged relationship with Vijay, for which he later issued an apology.