Kaveri Baruah withdraws ‘42 rules’ claim about Allu Arjun as actor threatens legal suit

A controversy that snowballed across social media has now taken an unexpected turn. The media professional who alleged that Allu Arjun followed a strict list of “42 dos and don’ts” has officially withdrawn her remarks.

The statement comes days after the interview clip went viral and triggered intense online debate. It also follows the decision by the Sweekriti Talks Podcast to remove the episode from its platform.

The U-Turn

Kaveri Baruah, whose earlier claims sparked the row, has now clarified her position. In a statement shared publicly, she acknowledged that the viral clip referencing the “42 dos and don’ts” was inaccurate. “Upon reflection, I wish to clarify that these statements were incorrect and were not based on any verified document or factual material.” She further said, “To be clear, no document containing ’42 dos and don’ts’ was issued to me by Mr Allu Arjun or by anyone acting on his behalf. My remarks were made in the flow of conversation and should not have been presented as factual assertions.”

Kaveri also expressed regret over the confusion and any reputational harm caused. She said she was withdrawing the remarks in full and added that she holds “the utmost respect” for the actor and his work.

How the Controversy Began

The issue began when Kaveri appeared on the Sweekriti Talks Podcast and described an alleged experience involving the actor’s entourage. In the viral segment, she claimed that before meeting Allu Arjun, she was given a note outlining 42 rules governing behaviour around him. She said, “Before meeting him, we were given a note with 42 dos and don’ts. They have a manager for a manager for a manager — one big manager, then another who reports to him. And they are very strict: ‘Don’t look into sir’s eyes. Don’t shake hands. One-hand distance is mandatory. You cannot use your phone.’ When he came in, I was sitting on the side and using my phone for work. His bodyguard jumped in front of me and snatched my phone, saying, ‘Not allowed.’ I was like, ‘Excuse me, I’m just doing my work.’ He said, ‘No phones allowed.’”

Legal Threats and Apology

Following the backlash, Allu Arjun’s team announced that it would initiate defamation proceedings. Shortly after, the podcast removed the episode. At the time, Sweekriti had written that she did not want her guest’s career affected by online trolling. She had also said, “Allu Arjun and his team are sheer losers, and just power hungry.”

However, she has now softened her stance and issued an apology for the video’s “unintended impact and the manner in which the content was being interpreted.” She clarified, “There was no intention whatsoever to harm, provoke, defame, or make any imputation against any individual, nor to derive any undue advantage at the expense of any person.”