Veteran Telugu actor Mohan Babu, who was recently booked for attempted murder after assaulting a video journalist, visited the victim at a Hyderabad hospital on Sunday to offer a personal apology.
The incident, which occurred at the actor's Jalpally residence on December 10, left the journalist, Muppidi Ranjith Kumar, with fractures to his zygomatic bone. Kumar is currently undergoing treatment at Yashoda Hospital.
"He (Mohan Babu) offered an apology to me, my family, and the entire journalist fraternity," Kumar told PTI, adding that the actor assured him he would visit his home after he recovers and is discharged from the hospital.
The confrontation unfolded when Kumar visited Mohan Babu’s residence to cover a dispute between the actor and his younger son, Manoj.
According to the journalist’s police complaint, Mohan Babu aggressively confronted the media, allegedly grabbed a microphone, used abusive language, and struck Kumar with it, causing a head injury.
The assault sparked widespread protests from journalist associations in Hyderabad, demanding accountability and better protection for media personnel.
On December 13, Mohan Babu issued a public apology, acknowledging the incident and expressing deep regret.
"I am writing this letter to formally address the unfortunate incident and to express my deep regret over the events that transpired. It pains me deeply that what started as a personal family dispute spiraled into a larger situation, causing distress not only to the esteemed TV9 family but also to the broader journalist fraternity," Mohan Babu stated.
The actor explained that he lost his composure amidst chaos caused by 30 to 50 "anti-social elements" who allegedly forced their way into his house intending to harm him.
"Amidst this chaos, the media inadvertently became intertwined in the situation. As I tried to manage the situation, one of your journalists, unfortunately, sustained an injury. This was a deeply regrettable outcome, and I deeply regret the pain and inconvenience caused to him, his family, and the TV9 community. I sincerely apologize for my actions," Mohan Babu added.
Based on the journalist's statement, a case was filed against Mohan Babu under Section 109 (attempted murder) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
The actor's actions and subsequent apology continue to draw significant public attention, particularly from the media fraternity.