HYDERABAD: The battle between the “Icon Star” and the internet has taken a toxic turn. What started as a brand manager’s viral claim about a strict “42-rule protocol” to meet Allu Arjun has now escalated into a full-blown war of words.
Sweekriti Bharti, the host of the Sweekriti Talks podcast, has officially deleted the controversial episode featuring brand strategist Kaveri Baruah. However, she didn’t go quietly. In a series of explosive Instagram stories, the podcaster lashed out at the Pushpa actor and his team, calling them “sheer losers” and “power hungry.”
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‘Sheer Losers’: Podcaster Slams Allu Arjun’s Team
After the video of Kaveri Baruah alleging that Allu Arjun’s team enforces rules like “no eye contact” and “no handshakes” went viral, the actor’s legal team initiated defamation proceedings. Shortly after, the podcast disappeared from YouTube and Instagram.
Taking to social media to explain the deletion, Sweekriti Bharti alleged that she and her guest were being targeted by a “PR machinery.”
“I’ve removed the video after my guest faced coordinated harassment from PR machinery and bot accounts,” she wrote. “Allu Arjun & his team are sheer losers, & just power hungry. Protecting a real person will always take priority over engaging with power that refuses accountability.”
She further claimed that a woman “can’t live in peace and make content” without being attacked by “bots” and “PR agents.”
The Mystery of the ’42 Rules’ List
For those who missed the start of the drama, the controversy began when Kaveri Baruah (who reportedly worked in brand strategy for Royal Enfield) appeared on the podcast. She claimed that meeting Allu Arjun involved a complex web of “manager ka manager ka manager” and a note with 42 strict instructions.
The alleged rules included:
- Don’t look into “Sir’s” eyes unless he speaks to you.
- No handshakes or physical contact.
- Maintain a one-arm distance at all times.
- No phone usage in his presence (she claimed a bodyguard once snatched her phone).
When asked why these rules existed, Kaveri famously replied, “Mere ko kya pata? (How would I know?) That’s the rule.”
Allu Arjun’s Team Stands Firm on Defamation Case
The Pushpa star’s team has maintained from the beginning that these claims are “completely baseless and untrue.” They argued that the actor has always conducted himself with “utmost dignity and honour.”
By initiating legal action, Allu Arjun’s camp is sending a clear message: they will not tolerate “fake propaganda” for “cheap publicity.” Interestingly, following the legal threat, Kaveri Baruah deactivated her LinkedIn and Instagram accounts, leading many fans to question the validity of her story.
Telugu Industry Rallies Behind the ‘Icon Star’
While the podcaster is calling the actor a “loser,” his colleagues are telling a very different story. Rajasekhar Aningi, who worked with Allu Arjun on Pushpa 1 and 2 for four years, released a video to defend him.
“He is a true gentleman on set,” Aningi said. “He is the kind of person who doesn’t think twice about eating from the same basin as the spot boys during breaks. It’s hard to believe a man with such a heart would have a 42-rule list to keep people away.”
What Happens Now?
With the video deleted and the guest off social media, the focus now shifts to the courtroom. Allu Arjun’s legal team is expected to move forward with the defamation proceedings to set a precedent against “unverified information” being shared on digital platforms.
As for Sweekriti Bharti, she has urged members of the Telugu film industry to speak up about the “truth” of working with superstars, though most insiders seem to be siding with the actor.
