Kasturi Shankar, an actor, was arrested for his anti-Telugu statements.

"The Telugu-speaking community came as assistants to the king's consort and later adopted a Tamil identity," said actor Kasturi Shankar, inciting controversy while playing a controversial political game. She said those things in a speech she gave on November 3 at a protest gathering.

Chennai Police arrested actor Kasturi Shankar in Hyderabad in relation to a case regarding her inflammatory comments about the Telugu-speaking community in Tamil Nadu.

According to the petition, which was brought by a Telugu association, Shankar said, "The Telugu-speaking community came as assistants to the king’s consort and later adopted a Tamil identity," during a demonstration on November 3.

Later, Shankar apologized publicly on social media, writing: "I never intended to disrespect or cause harm to my Telugu extended family. I apologize for any unintentional offense.

Citing the need for cohesion, she likewise pulled the words from her address.

Tamil Nadu Police opened a complaint under four sections of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) in spite of her apology.

In relation to the Madurai Police charge against her, the Tamil actor petitioned the Madras High Court for anticipatory relief. In a case filed against her by Madurai Police on the same matter, Kasturi was recently denied anticipatory bail by the Madurai bench of the Madras High Court.

Known for her parts in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada films, Kasthuri Shankar made her screen debut in Aatha Un Koyilile in 1991 and rose to stardom with Annamayya (1997) and Indian (1996), both starring Kamal Haasan.

Prior to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, she also participated in a BJP campaign in Madurai.