A recent podcast episode has ignited a controversy involving Telugu superstar Allu Arjun, leading to accusations of harassment and a defamation lawsuit. The controversy stems from claims made by a brand strategist, Kaveri Baruah, regarding her interactions with Allu Arjun and his team.

Baruah appeared on the "Sweekriti Talks" podcast, where she detailed what she described as a rigid protocol of "42 dos and don'ts" that she had to follow before meeting the "Pushpa" star. These alleged rules included restrictions such as not making direct eye contact or shaking hands with the actor. Baruah claimed that navigating the actor's entourage involved dealing with multiple layers of managers and strict guidelines, which she found excessive.

The podcast clip quickly went viral, sparking a widespread debate on social media. Many users criticized Allu Arjun, questioning whether his fame had made him inaccessible and pretentious. Some fans, however, defended the actor, sharing older interviews and moments that portrayed him as humble and friendly.

In response to the uproar, Allu Arjun's team issued a statement refuting the claims as "completely baseless and untrue". The team asserted that the actor has always conducted himself with "utmost dignity and honour" and that the allegations were damaging to his reputation. Allu Arjun's team announced that they are initiating legal action, specifically a defamation suit, against those responsible for spreading what they deem to be false information. They also urged the public to refrain from sharing unverified content.

Following the backlash and alleged harassment of her guest, the podcaster, Sweekriti, deleted the episode. In a statement on her Instagram, Sweekriti stated she was forced to remove the video after her guest faced "coordinated harassment from PR machinery and bot accounts". She emphasized that Baruah holds a responsible position and that she refused to allow her career to be jeopardized due to online bullying. Sweekriti further added that the discussion was factual and professional, not defamatory, but protecting a real person was her priority. In a now-deleted post, she reportedly called Allu Arjun and his team "sheer losers" and accused them of being "power hungry".

Meanwhile, Kaveri Baruah has reportedly deleted her Instagram and LinkedIn profiles amidst the controversy.

Despite the controversy, Allu Arjun remains busy with his professional commitments. He is currently filming for director Atlee's sci-fi film in Mumbai and has also signed a project with Lokesh Kanagaraj.