Rajendra Prasad apologizes for comments on David Warner at 'Robinhood' event: "I never meant to hurt anyone"

Actor Rajendra Prasad recently received criticism after he made comments about Australian cricketer David Warner at the pre-release event for 'Robinhood'. The remarks, intended as humor, were perceived as insulting by many, leading to a backlash on social media. Rajendra Prasad has since apologized, explaining that his words were not meant to offend.
Rajendra Prasad issued a video apology, stating that he never intended to hurt anyone. He explained that before the event, he, Nithiin, and David Warner had a fun interaction where they playfully challenged each other to prove their skills in each other's fields.
He said, "At the pre-release Robinhood event, I unknowingly said something about David Warner. You know me; I did not do that intentionally. Even before we went to the event, we were all having fun together. I told Nithiin and him they were like my children."
He also added, "When he hugged me, I asked him to prove himself as an actor, and he asked me to prove myself as a cricketer. I love David Warner, I love his cricket, and he loves our films and acting. If what I did has hurt anyone, I feel very sorry and apologise. I will ensure it never happens again".

During the event, Rajendra Prasad playfully teased David Warner about his love for Telugu cinema, particularly his obsession with the film 'Pushpa'. He imitated Warner doing the 'Srivalli' dance step and joked about how he always does that instead of playing cricket. However, his choice of words did not sit well with many viewers. Despite Warner smiling during the exchange, the comments were widely criticized online.

During the event, Venky Kudumula, the director of 'Robinhood', clarified that Rajendra Prasad's comments were meant in jest and that Warner might not have fully understood the context due to the language barrier. Warner himself responded by saying that he has seen similar banter in cricket and took it as a lighthearted joke.
'Robinhood', starring Nithiin and Sreeleela, marks David Warner's acting debut in Indian cinema. The film also features Vennela Kishore, Devdatta Nage, and Shine Tom Chacko. The film is set to release on March 28, 2025.