One would think that a man of Chiranjeevi’s stature – who has spent decades basking in the adoration of a largely female fan base – would know better than to make a cringeworthy comment about being scared of having another granddaughter. But alas, the ‘megastar’ has spoken, lamenting that his home feels like a ladies’ hostel and wishing for a grandson to continue the legacy. A true patriarchal nightmare, isn’t it?
The sheer irony of the situation is hard to miss. Chiranjeevi, a father of two daughters himself, seems to have forgotten that his own bloodline has thrived without needing a mandatory Y chromosome. His daughter Sushmita is a successful producer, and Sreeja has held her own despite personal challenges. Yet, the megastar fears that the family legacy might not survive another girl. One wonders what legacy he is referring to – the one built on the talents and hard work of women in his own household.
The obsession with a male heir
Let us address the elephant in the room: why is a grandson the default torchbearer of a family name? Is Ram Charan’s legacy somehow at risk if Klin Kaara is joined by another baby girl? Will the family mansion crumble under the weight of tiny pink frocks? It’s 2025, and yet, the deeply ingrained belief that only a son can carry forward a lineage persists – coming from a man who built his career playing larger-than-life heroes who fight for justice. The irony writes itself.
But Chiranjeevi is not alone in this outdated mindset. Remember how Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan publicly expressed relief when his son Aryan was born as if his daughter Suhana hadn’t already graced the family with her presence? Or the time when actor Govinda’s mother was reportedly overjoyed at his birth because he was the seventh son in the family, supposedly a sign of great fortune? The film industry is riddled with such backward notions, often disguised as casual remarks or playful banter.
Regressing into stereotypes
A man of Chiranjeevi’s influence should be dispelling myths about the girl child, not reinforcing them. If his granddaughter is the apple of Ram Charan’s eye, why does he fear another? Wouldn’t it be refreshing if, instead of yearning for a grandson, he proudly declared that his granddaughters are his legacy? Imagine the impact such a statement would have had on thousands of impressionable fans still stuck in the beta chahiye (we want a son) mindset.
Even if his comment was made in jest, it is still tone-deaf at best and damaging at worst. Social media’s backlash is not unwarranted – people are tired of celebrities normalising such regressive thinking. (Watch this space for more on Telugu cinema ‘stars’ and their megalomaniac penchant for ridiculous titles.)