Vishnu Manchu Strongly REACTS To MLA Anirudh Reddy's Suggestion Of Mandatory Drug Testing For Actors

Telangana

Congress MLA Anirudh Reddy recently sparked a debate after suggesting that leading actors such as Chiranjeevi, Pawan Kalyan and Balakrishna should undergo mandatory drug tests every 90 days, particularly before the release of their films. While most members of the film industry chose not to respond publicly, Movie Artists Association (MAA) presidentVishnu Manchu has given a strong reaction as counter to the proposal.

Vishnu Manchu's strong reaction to MLA Anirudh Reddy's suggestion of drug test on actors

The Kannappa actor reacted to a news report carrying the headline about actors needing to take drug tests before film releases. In his post, Vishnu questioned why a similar rule shouldn’t apply to politicians. He pointed out that if such accountability is expected from actors, then those contesting elections should also face mandatory testing before filing their nominations. He added that voters would likely welcome a fair and common system that applies to both public figures and elected representatives.

What did MLA Anirudh Reddy suggest?

Speaking to the media earlier, Anirudh Reddy said he believes drug usage in Telangana could decline if prominent figures from the film industry set an example. He claimed there is a widespread perception among the public that major drug-related activities are linked to the film industry. Based on this, he proposed regular testing of actors using drug kits every 90 days.

He further argued that stars like Chiranjeevi, Pawan Kalyan and Balakrishna have a strong influence over their fans, often more than politicians do. According to him, if actors prove they are drug-free, it could discourage their followers from engaging in similar habits. He urged actors to voluntarily undergo such tests, saying their fans tend to imitate their actions.The MLA also said that he himself has undergone drug testing and has proof to support it. He went on to suggest that submitting drug test reports should be made compulsory for actors before their films are cleared for release. He added that refusal to comply could raise doubts about their involvement.

His comments sparked reactions online. A lot of people wondered why actors were being held to higher standards than elected officials. Some people liked Vishnu Manchu's answer and called it brave. Others, on the other hand, wanted politicians to be more open and have stricter checks.As for Vishnu Manchu's work, he was last seen in the mythological Telugu movie Kannappa. The 2025 released film film also featured cameo appearances by Akshay Kumar and Prabhas, with Mohanlal in a key role.