Actors support HCU agitation: Will Revanth Reddy take revenge?

A growing number of actors from the Telugu and South Indian film industries have extended their support to the ongoing student agitation at the University of Hyderabad (UoH), also known as Hyderabad Central University (HCU).

The protest, aimed at protecting 400 acres of ecologically sensitive land from being auctioned by the Telangana government for an IT park, has intensified in recent days. Clashes between students and police last week further fueled the movement, which has since gained widespread attention online.

The “Save City Forest” campaign, spearheaded by UoH students and environmentalists, has been trending on social media, with numerous celebrities amplifying the cause.

Celebrities lend their support

Samantha Ruth Prabhu was among the first to voice her concern, reposting a Telangana Today report on Instagram about the ecological impact of the land auction. Her post quickly went viral, garnering over a million views and sparking a broader discussion.

Actor Rana Daggubati also weighed in, tweeting: “The HCU lands are more than just real estate—they’re a biodiversity treasure. Students are fighting for our future. #SaveHCU.”

Several other notable personalities, including producer Naga Vamsi, director Nag Ashwin (“Kalki 2898 AD”), Kannada star Upendra, Prakash Raj, Renu Desai, Tarun Bhascker, Eesha Rebba, Priyadarshi, and director Venu Udugula, have also voiced their support. Their backing has put additional pressure on the Telangana government, led by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy.

Will Revanth Reddy retaliate?

Concerns are growing that Chief Minister Revanth Reddy might retaliate against the actors and celebrities supporting the agitation. Given his combative political style, speculation is rife that those who oppose his government’s policies could face consequences.

Rumors have already circulated regarding Allu Arjun’s alleged troubles with the administration. Some social media users claim that his brief detention in the Sandhya Theater stampede case stemmed from his failure to mention Revanth Reddy’s name during the pre-release event of Pushpa 2. Now, similar fears loom over those supporting the student protest, as Revanth Reddy is known for his intolerance toward public figures who challenge his government’s stance.

Movement gains momentum

Despite the tensions, the students’ movement continues to gather steam.

While Revanth Reddy insists that the land belongs to the state and is not part of UoH’s core campus—a claim fiercely contested by the university community—celebrity endorsements have amplified national awareness of the issue. Environmentalists have hailed this as a rare moment of star-powered activism influencing public discourse.

As the legal battle over the land heads to the Telangana High Court on April 7, the student-led movement, now bolstered by film industry support, shows no signs of slowing down.