Did JD Chakravarthy Take an Indirect Dig at Sharwanand?

Actor JD Chakravarthy made some striking comments while promoting his upcoming film Gaayapadda Simham, starring Tharun Bhascker and directed by Kashyap Sreenivas. The film is set to release on May 1, and JD is playing a key role in it.

Speaking at the press meet, JD Chakravarthy heaped praise on Kamal Haasan and said no one in Indian or even world cinema has attempted as many diverse roles as him. At the same time, he added an interesting twist by saying that the role he plays in Gaayapadda Simham is something even Kamal Haasan has not done, highlighting the uniqueness of his character.

He also addressed the ongoing debate about non Telugu actors getting opportunities in Telugu cinema. JD clarified that most directors initially approach Telugu actors, and only if they decline do others step in. He stressed that casting decisions are based on what suits the character and should be seen as a creative choice rather than an issue.

However, what grabbed the most attention was his blunt take on the idea that “audience are gods” and “theatres are temples,” especially in the context of Sharwanand recently bowing down in Sree Ramulu theatre in Hyderabad during Biker celebrations.

JD dismissed this notion with sharp sarcasm. He argued that audiences are not divine and should not be glorified in that way. According to him, audiences are like ghosts, not gods, who can be highly critical, demanding, and unpredictable. They cheer, troll, and even reject films. He added that people within the industry remain silent, which is why such narratives continue.

Taking it further, he questioned the comparison between theatres and temples. He pointed out that people visit theatres for entertainment, not devotion, and said it makes no sense to equate the two. His core message was clear. Stop romanticizing cinema culture with exaggerated statements.

JD delivered these remarks in a calm yet sarcastic tone, making it evident that he sees the “audience are gods” line as nothing more than industry hype that has been repeated for too long without being questioned.