Varun Chose Right, Niharika’s Marriage Went Wrong: Naga Babu
Naga Babu opens up on Niharika Konidela’s divorce, calls the marriage a mistake, and says her happiness matters more than public opinion or success.
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Actor and producer Naga Babu has opened up about his daughter Niharika Konidela’s failed marriage, acknowledging that the decision to go ahead with the alliance may not have been the right call.
Niharika, who married Chaitanya Jonnalagadda in 2020, parted ways with him in 2023. While the family maintained silence after the separation, Naga Babu has now spoken publicly about the matter during a recent podcast appearance.
In the discussion, Naga Babu shared that he and Niharika often engage in open conversations. He mentioned that he never interfered in his children’s personal or professional choices. Speaking about his approach to parenting, he said that his priority has always been their peace of mind. “Box office success doesn’t matter. If my children are not content, then nothing else matters,” he noted.
Addressing the marriage specifically, Naga Babu said the family accepted the proposal when Niharika agreed. However, he admitted that their judgment at the time turned out to be incorrect. “We didn’t compel her to marry. She agreed to the proposal, and we supported it. But eventually, both of them realised they weren’t compatible. They separated by mutual consent,” he explained. He added that he never pressured them to continue the relationship against their wishes.
Naga Babu also confirmed that Niharika has now shifted focus to film production and may consider marriage again in the future.
Speaking about his son Varun Tej’s marriage to actress Lavanya Tripathi, he shared a different outcome. “When Varun told me about his decision to marry Lavanya, I asked if he was confident about their life together. He said yes, and I trusted his decision. Today, they are doing well,” he said.
Niharika, in an earlier interview, spoke about the strength she drew from her father's support. She stated that her father stood by her without hesitation and reminded her that her well-being came above public opinion. “Going through divorce helped me understand the importance of family,” she said.
On the work front, Niharika was last seen in Madraskaaran, directed by Vaali Mohan Das and backed by producer B. Jagadish under the SR Productions banner.
