Renu Desai hits back at trolls over Diwali firecracker row

Actress Renu Desai has hit back at trolls who called her 'anti-Hindu' after she criticised late-night firecracker bursting days after Diwali, warning that ‘Karma will destroy your entire family and lineage’, the Free Press Journal reports. In an earlier Instagram post on Monday (9 November 2026), Desai questioned why crackers were still being burst at 11 pm, saying she stayed quiet on Diwali out of fear of being called anti-Hindu. She called people selfish and urged celebrations to end by 10 pm, noting friends reported explosions at 1 am, 2 am and 3 am.

In a subsequent post, Desai asked people not to connect her remarks to any individual, dismissing speculation she was referring to ex-husband Pawan Kalyan's reported separation from Anna Konidala, m9.news reports. She also denied being paid to make the statement, calling it her personal opinion. Deccan Chronicle and Hindustan Times both report the original firecracker complaint, with Deccan Chronicle noting she showed nonchalance by raising a civic issue right after Kalyan's divorce news.

Update, 10 November 2026: The Free Press Journal reports Desai hit back at trolls who called her ‘anti-Hindu’, warning ‘Karma will destroy your entire family and lineage’. M9.News reports she also posted a separate appeal for kindness, asking people not to link her words to anyone. Deccan Chronicle and Hindustan Times confirm the earlier firecracker complaint.