Telugu megastar-turned-politician K Chiranjeevi recently expressed his desire for a grandson to carry forward the family’s legacy. “When I’m at home, it doesn’t feel like I’m surrounded by my granddaughters; it feels like I’m a ladies’ hostel warden, surrounded by ladies all around. I keep wishing and telling (Ram) Charan, at least this time, have a boy so that our legacy continues, but his daughter is the apple of his eye… I’m scared that he might again have a girl,” Chiranjeevi told a public gathering.

Is this a simple wish? A harmless remark? Or yet another reminder of how deeply ingrained the “male heir” obsession remains — even among the most influential and seemingly progressive figures?

At first glance, this might seem trivial. Some might argue, “What’s the big deal? Celebrities say things all the time — some meaningful, some mindless”. Others may dismiss it as the innocent wish of a doting grandfather or accuse critics of making a mountain out of a molehill. After all, Chiranjeevi already has granddaughters — what’s the harm in wanting a grandson?

The problem is twofold. First, Chiranjeevi is a towering influence in South Indian cinema and beyond. His words are never just words; they carry weight, reinforce ideas, and shape perceptions. Second, his remark wasn’t about the desire to pamper a grandson — it was about continuing a legacy,........

© Indian Express