Baby Nakshathra CM has become a talking point ahead of the theatrical release of Irumudi, after an interaction between the young actor and her co-star Ravi Teja at a promotional event sparked criticism on social media.
A video from the event circulated online after Ravi Teja appeared to use the Telugu expression “muduru munda” while speaking to Nakshathra. The exchange drew criticism because of the derogatory interpretation associated with the word munda in certain contexts. Nakshathra appeared unaware of the meaning and said she did not understand what he meant. Ravi Teja reportedly told her that he would explain it later.
Neither Nakshathra’s family nor Ravi Teja has publicly addressed the controversy at the time of writing.
With Irumudi scheduled to reach theatres on August 20, interest in the young actor’s career has grown. Here’s what is known about Nakshathra.
Who is Baby Nakshathra CM?
Nakshathra CM is a child actor from Kannur, Kerala, who has already worked across Malayalam and other South Indian film industries despite beginning her acting career only recently.
According to reports, Nakshathra lost her father when she was only a few months old and has been raised by her mother, who is a single parent.
Before entering films, Nakshathra had already established a presence on social media. Her acting career began in 2024, when she appeared in the Prabhudeva-starrer Petta Rap.
Nakshathra’s films so far
Following her debut, Nakshathra continued working in South Indian cinema.
She appeared in the Malayalam film Ennum Swantham Punyalan in 2025. She subsequently featured in I, Nobody, which stars Prithviraj Sukumaran and was released in theatres on July 9.
The young actor has also completed work on Dad, a film featuring Dr Shiva Rajkumar. The project is currently in post-production, with its release date yet to be announced.
Her latest project is Irumudi, in which she shares screen space with Ravi Teja.
What happened between Ravi Teja and Nakshathra?
The controversy began after footage from an Irumudi promotional event surfaced online.
During the interaction, Ravi Teja appeared to address Nakshathra using the phrase “muduru munda.” People sitting behind the actor were also seen laughing during the exchange.
Nakshathra appeared not to understand the phrase and reportedly said so. Ravi Teja then told her that he would explain its meaning later.
The clip subsequently spread across social media, with several users objecting to the language used while speaking to a child actor.
The meaning of the expression can vary according to pronunciation and context. While munda can carry derogatory meanings when used toward a woman, muduru can have several meanings, including mature, aged, intense or deep. It should therefore not automatically be interpreted as a reference to skin colour.
At present, there has been no public statement from Nakshathra’s family regarding the incident, while Ravi Teja has also remained silent about the controversy.
What is Irumudi about?
Directed as a family-oriented action drama, Irumudi follows a father whose life has been shaped by alcoholism and a troubled past.
After turning his life around, the protagonist settles into a quieter existence with his young daughter. When she expresses a heartfelt wish, he decides to undertake the Ayyappa Deeksha pilgrimage.
The spiritual journey becomes the backdrop for a larger family conflict, as the father finds himself facing a serious crisis while attempting to protect his loved ones and remain committed to his faith.
The film is scheduled for a theatrical release on August 20.
For Nakshathra, Irumudi represents another significant step in a young career that has already seen her work alongside established names from South Indian cinema. The controversy surrounding the promotional event has brought additional attention to her just days before the film’s release.
