'You’re Saying That’s Why Pawan Kalyan Left Me': Renu Desai Hits Out At Online Trolls

Renu Desai’s Monday press meet in Hyderabad quickly spiraled into a tense exchange, drawing attention not for her advocacy but for an emotional confrontation that followed. The actor and activist had called the conference to raise awareness about street dog bites, but comments from attendees and online trolls shifted the focus to her personal life, prompting a strong response.

The event, held at the Press Club of Hyderabad, also featured actor Rashmi Gautam and director Sashi Kiran Tikka. While discussing the issue of street dog bites, Desai became visibly upset when a man at the conference allegedly tried to confront her physically. In response, she shouted at the individual and later released a video clarification on Instagram to address the circulating

footage.

Desai drew broader comparisons between public concern over dog attacks and other dangers affecting people daily. “There are lakhs of people dying due to mosquito bites; do their lives not hold value? A little child I know died of dengue. Only a life lost due to a dog bite is the only one that matters? I am talking to all the dog haters here. Why are you being so selective?” she asked, visibly frustrated.

She continued to question societal priorities, pointing to instances of human violence and negligence. “You don’t care about human lives; you just hate dogs. People and children get raped and murdered every day, where is your humanity then? There will be people who rape and molest small children, even near your homes. People die due to not wearing helmets, but who protests for that?” Desai said. She also challenged the idea of collective punishment, adding, “Are we murdering all men because a few rape and kill? So would you want to kill all dogs?”

The confrontation escalated when she directed her frustration at the man who approached her during the meet. “Ask that man how many lives he has saved. How many children has this old man saved? Ask him not to open his mouth here,” she shouted. Following claims that she had argued with a media person, Desai clarified on Instagram that her reaction was directed solely at the individual, not the press. “I did not scream at a media person. Wrong thumbnails are being made on this. A random 55-year-old guy walked into the press conference and started shouting at me. And he was coming onto the stage to hit me or something like that. The security and other volunteers had to hold him. That’s why I got so angry at him, I am not shouting at Press,” she explained.

Desai also addressed online trolling about her ex-husband, Pawan Kalyan, and their children Akira Nandan and Aadhya. She strongly condemned the personal attacks. “I have seen some comments on my way home. How correct is it to comment on my personal life? You’re saying that’s why Pawan Kalyan left me, that I am cranky. Do I get any money while fighting for street dogs? I am not even fighting for them; I am fighting for human life. And you’re making such disgusting comments. You even said I would learn a lesson if my children died from dog bites. Why would you say that? I am a mother who knows the value of life,” she said.

Desai turned off comments on the post to prevent further trolling. She and Pawan Kalyan were married from 2009 to 2012. Their children, Akira (born 2004) and Aadhya (born 2010), have remained central to Desai’s response to the online attacks.