'Creepy and uncomfortable': K. Raghavendra Rao faces massive netizen backlash after old videos with Niharika Konidela resurface
ETimes | June 20, 2026 7:39 PM CST
A video from the launch of Anil Ravipudi ’s upcoming film has placed veteran director K Raghavendra Rao under fresh online scrutiny. The footage shows Rao guiding Keerthy Suresh and Krithi Shetty while filming the ceremonial first shot for the project, known as ‘ Venky Anil 5 ’. As the clip circulated, social media users also revived an older video featuring Rao and Niharika Konidela , leading to renewed criticism over his interactions with women at public events.
IBTimes India reported that the new footage was shot during the project’s launch ceremony, which brought together Venkatesh Daggubati, Nandamuri Kalyan Ram, Keerthy Suresh, Krithi Shetty, and several members of the Telugu film industry . The report said the discussion online grew after viewers shared the clip across X and Instagram.
K Raghavendra Rao faces criticism over ‘Venky Anil 5’ clipThe ceremony marked the official beginning of Ravipudi’s next directorial venture. In the video, Rao appears to guide the actors through the first-shot setup, including where they should stand and how the frame should look.
Some viewers objected to the physical gestures seen in the clip. They argued that the actors could have been directed without being moved by the arm or placed in position through physical contact. Others discussed the footage as part of a broader debate around personal space and conduct at film events.
The response shifted attention away from the launch itself and toward the video. The online conversation intensified after users began sharing an earlier clip involving Niharika Konidela alongside the recent footage.
Niharika Konidela's video returns to spotlight
The older video shows Rao posing with Niharika during a separate public appearance. It returned to social media feeds as users compared it with the latest footage from the ‘Venky Anil 5’ launch.
IBTimes India also noted that the reaction brought back Taapsee Pannu ’s 2017 comments about Rao’s visual style in song sequences. Pannu had spoken about her experience working in ‘Jhummandi Naadam’, which was released in 2010.
Meanwhile, Anil Ravipudi shared photographs from the event and announced the beginning of the new film’s journey. He wrote, “Nothing gives me greater joy than entertaining audiences in theatres. With immense happiness, gratitude, and a sense of responsibility, we begin the journey of #VenkyAnil5 - #NKRAR2 today.”
Rao has not issued a public statement on the online discussion surrounding the latest video or the resurfaced Niharika clip.
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