Tollywood’s one of the most dependable actors Nani recently found himself at the center of an unexpected social media controversy. Known for his grounded personality, the actor enjoys a loyal fan base that has consistently supported him through different phases of his career. However, a short video clip that surfaced online sparked heavy backlash and divided opinion among netizens.
In the viral video, Nani is seen dressed in a black outfit, smiling and posing for photographs with fans, reportedly on the occasion of his birthday recently. As several fans approach him for pictures, a few of them extend their hands forward, seemingly expecting a handshake. In the clip that circulated widely, Nani does not immediately respond to those gestures and instead continues posing for the photos without shaking hands. It appeared as if he was not interested in shaking hands at that moment. This moment, which occurred twice in the video, triggered backlash online.
Soon after the clip went viral, social media users began trolling Nani. Some accused him of arrogance, while others used harsh language to question his humility.
One user commented, “He got exposed badly.” Another wrote, “Only blue tick accounts defending this in comments, next level paid PR.” A third and more extreme reaction even alleged, “Reason is untouchability.”
At the same time, many people came forward in support of the actor. Supporters argued that celebrities are not obligated to shake hands with every stranger they meet, even if they are fans. Some pointed out concerns about personal boundaries and hygiene, suggesting that declining a handshake does not automatically indicate disrespect. Others described the backlash as unnecessary and exaggerated, calling it a targeted attempt to damage his image.
Interestingly, fans later shared a longer clip from the same interaction. In that version, Nani is seen shaking hands with the same individual after the photograph was taken. Fans then started accusing haters of spreading an edited video to create controversy.
Nani might have had his own reasons… Bashing him for this is totally unacceptable!!
— Christopher Kanagaraj (@Chrissuccess) February 25, 2026
