‘That’s Not Reporting’: Anaswara Slams Out-Of-Context Headline Over With Love Interview

A light-hearted joke, a lot of laughter, and one line taken way too seriously — that’s what Anaswara says led to unnecessary controversy around her recent Tamil interview. The actor has now addressed a headline

that picked a single remark from the conversation and presented it as a serious comment, leaving her disappointed with how the moment was reported.

Anaswara, who is currently promoting her upcoming film With Love, responded after the remark began circulating on social media and in news reports. According to India Today, the actor called out the selective framing of her words and questioned the intent behind isolating a joking comment from a longer, casual interview.

“I really have to hand it to whoever put this together, it must’ve taken a lot of patience to sit through a full 20-minute Tamil interview, filled with light conversations and shared laughter, find a single line that was said jokingly while everyone laughed and then present it as some ‘serious statement.’ That’s not reporting, that’s cherry-picking, twisting context, and creating negativity where none existed. Blowing a joke out of proportion doesn’t make you sharp, it makes you desperate for attention,” she said.

Anaswara also explained why she chose to speak up this time, despite usually staying away from online noise. “Recently, I’ve made it a rule not to react to drama or engage with nonsense. I try not to give it the spotlight it craves. But when people try to make me out to be someone I’m not, that’s where I draw the line. So yes, I had to speak up this time.”

The controversy stems from a Tamil interview Anaswara did while promoting With Love. During the conversation, her co-star Abishan mentioned that he initially felt hesitant approaching her because she is a well-known actor. In response, Anaswara said she acted “dumb” to make him feel at ease. The exchange was clearly playful, with laughter throughout the discussion.

Abishan, who is making his acting debut with With Love, laughed along and referred to the moment as “dumbest behaviour,” further underlining the casual and friendly tone of the interaction. Both actors were seen enjoying the conversation, with no hint of seriousness attached to the remark at the time.

After clips from the interview gained traction online, Anaswara clarified on social media that the comment was made in jest and taken out of context. She also expressed hope that reporting would better reflect the tone and intent behind such conversations instead of amplifying isolated lines.

With Love is directed by Madhan, marking his first film as a director after working as an assistant director on Tourist Family and Lover. The coming-of-age romance stars Abishan and Anaswara Rajan and is produced by Magesh Raj Pasilian’s MRP Entertainment in association with Soundarya Rajinikanth’s Zion Films. The film is slated for a theatrical release on February 6.