Tamil film and serial actor Babloo Prithiveeraj has stoked controversy after a recent interview in which he made remarks against former silver screen co-stars Ajith and Suriya went viral. In an interview with entertainment portal IndiaGlitz Telugu Movies, Prithiveeraj was asked about good and bad things he wished to say about his former co-stars.
About Ajith, the actor said, “Good thing is that he's very down-to-earth. Very stylish, cool chap. Bad thing is that zero dedication. He doesn't want to act. He's not bothered.” (sic) When the anchor prompts him and asks about Ajith's grooming style, Prithiveeraj dismisses it and says, "Nothing. Rubbish. He doesn't care." He adds, But he's very lucky,” suggesting that Ajith took his "superstardom" for granted. Prithiveeraj and Ajith had acted together in the 1998 hit Aval Varuvala, in the early stages of the latter’s career.
“He's more interested in cooking biryani and things like that,” he says about Ajith who has garnered a cult following among Tamil cinema fans. Ajith's latest release Viswasam reportedly posted a box office collection of Rs 200 crore.
When asked about Suriya, Prithiveeraj called him a "horrible person." The duo acted together in Gautham Vasudev Menon’s 2008 film Vaaranam Aayiram. He said, “Suriya is a horrible person. He is very self-centered. But a very dedicated actor and I think his period is over.”
The remarks have prompted online outrage against the actor from Ajith and Suriya fans who have called him names for the criticism of their favourite stars. However, the actor had also made candid comments against other actors in the same interview.
On Malayalam actor Mammootty, Prithiveeraj said that he was very talkative. "One of the finest actors. He loves to talk. He will talk and talk and talk, to an extent where you will say, Sir osthanu sir (sir, I will leave take my leave, sir). He won't let you go. But fine actor.”
Prithiveeraj is also known for many Tamil serials, including the popular Vani Rani starring Raadhika Sarathkumar. The serial ran for a period of five years between 2013 and 2018 on Sun TV. He played the character of Swaminathan, one of two leading male co-stars. On Raadhika, Prithiveeraj said she was a horrible person to work with.
However, about Simran and Ramya Krishnan the actor had pleasant things to say. Calling Simran ‘a lovely person’, he said that Ramya Krishnan was the same person, regardless of career highs and lows. “She's always the same. She's a very naughty woman.” he said.