Actor Prakash Raj has responded firmly to online criticism following the funeral of his mother, Suvarnalatha, who passed away at the age of 86 due to age-related complications. The last rites were conducted in Bengaluru on March 31 as per Christian traditions, reflecting her lifelong faith.
The controversy arose after a social media user shared a video juxtaposing the funeral with clips from a 2025 interview where the actor had identified himself as an atheist, questioning the apparent contradiction.
Addressing the criticism, Prakash Raj made it clear that his personal beliefs did not override his responsibility toward his mother’s wishes. “Yes. I don’t believe in god..but my mother believed in her god. Who am I to deny her the right to be buried according to her belief? This is the basic respect we give one another,” he wrote, calling out what he described as hate-driven commentary online.
Yes. I don’t believe in god .. but my mother believed in her god . Who am i to deny her .. the right to be buried according to her belief. This is the basic respect we give one another. Will you Hate mongering monsters understand this #justasking https://t.co/vD1GhySf3M
— Prakash Raj (@prakashraaj) April 2, 2026
His response has since drawn support from many who viewed his stance as a reflection of mutual respect and individual choice within families.
Suvarnalatha’s journey was one of resilience. Born into a Christian family in Karnataka, she grew up without parental support and later built a career as a nurse. It was during her working years that she met her husband, and together they raised three children, with Prakash Raj being the eldest.
In her later years, she battled significant health challenges, including a brain cyst that required surgery. The condition led to severe memory loss, affecting her ability to recognise even close family members.
Despite the personal loss, Prakash Raj continues to stay active in the film industry across languages. He has recently been seen in films like Devara: Part 1, They Call Him OG and Seetha Payanam.
Looking ahead, the actor is expected to collaborate with director S. S. Rajamouli and star Mahesh Babu in an upcoming project tentatively titled Varanasi, which has already generated significant buzz.
