Shivani Nagaram Addresses Backlash Over Tirumala Temple Visit Comments

Shivani Nagaram recently faced criticism on social media after discussing her 15-minute darshan of Lord Venkateswara at Tirumala. Accusations of celebrity privilege arose, prompting her to clarify that she followed standard procedures and purchased a ticket. In her explanation, she emphasized that the 15 minutes included the entire process, not just time spent in front of the deity. The actress shared her emotional experience and reiterated that anyone could have a similar darshan by purchasing a ticket. Learn more about her recent projects and the context behind her comments.

By Narendra Chaudhary Feb 26, 2026, 13:44 IST

Shivani Nagaram's Viral Tirumala Darshan Controversy

Shivani Nagaram, recognized for her roles in films such as Little Hearts and Hey Bhagavant, recently encountered criticism on social media following remarks made during an interview regarding her visit to a temple. She shared her experience of a 15-minute darshan of Lord Venkateswara at Tirumala, which quickly gained traction online, leading to accusations of celebrity privilege. In response to the backlash, Shivani took to Instagram to clarify her experience, stating that she adhered to the standard procedures and purchased a ticket alongside her mother.

Understanding the 15-Minute Darshan Controversy

During her interview with a private Telugu channel, Shivani discussed her 15-minute darshan at Tirumala, which sparked a wave of criticism from netizens questioning the disparity in darshan times for celebrities versus regular devotees. In light of the online backlash, she explained that the '15 minutes' encompassed the entire process from entering the queue to reaching the sanctum, rather than the time spent directly in front of the deity. She emphasized that she did not receive any special treatment or VIP access, and her comments were misinterpreted by many.

Shivani revealed that she and her mother bought a ticket for Rs 10,500 at Tirupati Airport in October 2025, following the same procedures as any other devotee. Reflecting on her past experiences, she noted that she had previously only had three to five seconds of darshan with a standard Rs. 300 ticket. After thirteen years, witnessing the deity from a closer vantage point was an emotionally significant moment, which led to her enthusiastic comments during the interview. She also provided her official receipt as evidence of her adherence to the standard procedures.

The actress acknowledged that her initial remarks were fueled by excitement. After such a long interval, having a closer view of Lord Venkateswara was a profound spiritual experience for her. She reiterated that anyone purchasing a ticket could enjoy a similar darshan, emphasizing that her comments were not about privilege but rather about the emotional weight of the occasion.

About Shivani Nagaram

Shivani Nagaram has been steadily establishing her presence in the film industry. She was last seen in Little Hearts (2025), a romantic comedy directed by Sai Marthand, alongside Mouli Tanuj Prasanth, Rajeev Kanakala, and others. The film premiered on 5 September 2025, receiving positive reviews and achieving commercial success, grossing over Rs 40 crore against a budget of Rs 2.4 crore.

Shivani also appeared in Hey Bakwanth, a comedy directed by Gopi Atchara, which is set to release on 20 February, featuring Suhas, Naresh Vijaya Krishna, Vennela Kishore, and Sudharshan in prominent roles.