Allu Arjun has once again grabbed headlines. This time he made news for a quirky Rs 599 T-shirt that has gone viral for its humorous nod to Telugu cinema and sparked debate over a possible subtle satire targeting Pawan Kalyan’s fanbase.
Spotted at Mumbai airport, ahead of his appearance at the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025, Arjun’s T-shirt featured the iconic dialogue “Nellore Peddareddy Taluka” from the 1995 film Anaganaga Oka Roju, delivered by legendary comedian Brahmanandam, alongside the comedian’s expressive mugshots.
The T-shirt, available at online stores, has become a social media sensation, with fans praising Arjun’s playful tribute to Telugu cinema’s comedic heritage.
“Nellore Peddareddy’s domain,” is a cult-favorite line symbolizing Brahmanandam’s larger-than-life persona in the film, and Arjun’s choice to wear it was lauded as a “super satire” by his fans for its nostalgic charm.
However, the T-shirt has also ignited speculation among Pawan Kalyan’s fans, who see it as a cheeky counter to their popular catchphrase, “Pithapuram Taluka.”
Since Pawan Kalyan’s election as MLA from Pithapuram and his appointment as Andhra Pradesh’s Deputy Chief Minister in 2024, his fans have embraced phrases like “Pithapuram MLA Taluka” and “Deputy CM Taluka” on posters, stickers, and social media captions, turning “Taluka” (meaning “of” or “belonging to”) into a fan trademark.
Arjun’s T-shirt, tweaking the phrase to “Nellore Peddareddy Taluka,” has led some to interpret it as a playful jab at this trend.
The speculation is fueled by ongoing tensions between Arjun and Pawan Kalyan’s fanbases, which have simmered since Arjun’s support for a YSRCP candidate in Nandyal during the 2024 elections, despite publicly congratulating Pawan on his Pithapuram victory.
Arjun’s fans, however, dismiss the controversy, arguing that the T-shirt is purely a tribute to Brahmanandam and Telugu cinema’s comedic legacy.