Speaking up has a price. Prakash Raj’s wife, Pony Varma, says he has paid it, in his career. In a new interview, she opened up about what her husband has lost because of his political views and shared the defining moment that changed him forever: the murder of his close friend, Gauri Lankesh.
What Did Pony Varma Say?
Pony, an accomplished choreographer in the film industry, spoke candidly on Prema’s YouTube channel on 30 October 2026.
During the conversation, she was asked if she ever advised Prakash to tone down his outspoken views or exercise caution with his statements. She admitted that she was terrified during the initial years:
“I was very scared at the start. I worried about our family's safety.”
However, Prakash approached the dilemma from a completely different perspective. He kept reminding her and questioning: how long could they live in perpetual fear of speaking the truth?
Prakash Raj Reportedly Lost Films and Ads
Pony revealed that the professional toll on his career has been monumental. Endorsement deals were unilaterally pulled, brand commercial contracts were cancelled, and film offers were rescinded. She also noted that certain peers and co-actors began maintaining distance, feeling visibly uncomfortable around him on sets.
She observed that while most industry personalities choose calculated silence to protect their commercial interests, Prakash took the hard road:
“He has suffered immensely in his profession. But my conscience says what is happening is wrong, so I should not accept this.”
How Gauri Lankesh’s Murder Changed Prakash Raj
The profound turning point occurred in 2017. Renowned journalist and outspoken activist Gauri Lankesh was assassinated outside her residence in Bengaluru. She and Prakash Raj had shared a deep bond of friendship spanning over 35 years.
Pony recounted watching Prakash shatter emotionally when the tragic news broke. He had constantly harboured concerns for Gauri’s safety, just as she had looked out for him. That brutal incident triggered an irrepressible resolve within him. In Pony’s words:
“I will talk. As a woman, she stood; she spoke.”
Following her tragic demise, Prakash launched the nationwide #JustAsking movement across social media platforms, holding those in authority accountable. On every anniversary of her martyrdom, he continues to amplify the #NaanuGauri (“I am Gauri”) campaign in her memory.
This Is Not the First Time He Has Said It
Prakash Raj has never shied away from acknowledging the professional repercussions of his outspokenness. In a past interaction, he famously remarked that dissent “comes with a cost, and I can afford it.”
As early as 2018, the veteran National Award-winning actor disclosed that mainstream Hindi cinema had noticeably reduced casting offers after he began vocalising political dissent. Yet, his resolve across South Indian and pan-Indian cinema remains undiminished.
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