Actor and filmmaker Parthiban has addressed the controversy surrounding his recent remarks at an Ustaad Bhagat Singh event, where a reference to caste drew sharp criticism online. In a 10-minute video shared on his social media, the veteran Tamil cinema personality offered a detailed explanation of what transpired, describing the incident as an unintended slip rather than a reflection of personal belief.
“It was a moment of anxiety, not identity”
Speaking candidly, Parthiban said that while he has Telugu roots, he has never associated himself with caste pride. He recalled his upbringing, highlighting how his father encouraged him to speak Telugu at home but was equally insistent that he master Tamil diction when he entered the film industry. That duality, Parthiban suggested, shaped his identity as someone rooted in language and craft rather than social divisions.
Addressing the moment that sparked the backlash, Parthiban explained that he was already feeling uneasy at the event due to his lack of fluency in Telugu compared to Tamil. He even shared clips from the occasion, where he can be seen holding a piece of paper while preparing for his speech. According to him, just before he went on stage, someone beside him asked if he was a Naidu. That thought lingered, and in the midst of his nervousness, he mistakenly referred to himself as “Naidu Abbayi” instead of “Telugu Abbayi.”
Framing it as a slip born out of pressure, he reiterated that the comment did not stem from any sense of caste identity or pride. For Parthiban, the clarification seemed less about damage control and more about setting the record straight on his personal beliefs.
A personal stand against caste identity
Beyond addressing the immediate controversy, Parthiban used the video to underline his long-held stance against caste and religious divisions. He revealed that he is actively trying to obtain an official certificate that denotes no caste and no religion, a move that reflects his ideological position.
Sharing details of the process, he said his initial attempt was unsuccessful as authorities were preoccupied with election-related duties. Despite the setback, he maintained that he intends to pursue it further, framing it as a personal commitment rather than a symbolic gesture.
In an emotional moment, Parthiban admitted that the backlash over the past few days had affected him deeply. He remarked that even the loss of his father did not shake him as much as the intensity of the criticism he has faced following the remark. It was a striking admission, revealing the emotional toll that public scrutiny can take, especially when it intersects with sensitive social issues.
Closing the video, the actor summed up his worldview in a line that has since been widely shared: his caste, he said, is the human caste; his religion is humanity; and his language is cinema. The statement serves as both a personal philosophy and a response to the controversy, positioning him firmly against the very identity markers he was accused of invoking.
The incident and its aftermath once again highlight how public figures are held to intense scrutiny, particularly on subjects as deeply rooted and complex as caste. In Parthiban’s case, the clarification attempts to separate a momentary lapse from a broader belief system he insists he does not subscribe to.
Whether the explanation will settle the debate remains to be seen. But with his video, Parthiban has made one thing clear: he wants to be defined not by labels of birth, but by the work he creates and the values he stands for.
Also Read: Actor R Parthiban Apologizes for Caste Remarks at Ustaad Bhagat Singh Event
