Ahaana Krishna breaks her silence on Nancy Rani controversy

Malayalam actress Ahaana Krishna has finally broken her silence on the controversy surrounding her alleged absence from the promotions of her upcoming film Nancy Rani, directed by the late Manu James.

In a detailed statement on her social media handle, Ahaana refuted the claims made against her and revealed that her decision to distance herself from the project was due to deeply unpleasant experiences with the film’s director and his wife, Nyna.

Taking to social media, Ahaana addressed the speculation, stating that the professional disagreements she faced were compounded by a personal betrayal, where false narratives were allegedly spread about her to cover up production mismanagement.

“I had unpleasant experiences with the director and his wife on both professional and personal levels. What upset me the most was that they spread a completely false and damaging lie about me—simply to shift blame away from their own mistakes during the shoot. When someone distorts the truth so blatantly, it not only affects one’s professional reputation but also becomes deeply personal.”

The controversy erupted after Nyna, the late director’s wife, publicly expressed her disappointment over Ahaana’s absence from promotional activities. During a press meet in Kerala, Nyna stated that both she and the production team had reached out to Ahaana multiple times, urging her to support the film despite past differences.

"I had spoken to Ahaana. The PRO and production team also tried to reach out. Given the circumstances, humanitarian consideration should prevail. She should have cooperated," Nyna remarked.

She also emphasiSed that all financial agreements had been settled and that the team was committed to covering any potential losses. Actor Aju Varghese, who also stars in the film, acknowledged the difficulties faced by the team, crediting Nyna and her father for ensuring that Nancy Rani made it to the big screen despite immense challenges.

Ahaana’s final word: No room for misinterpretation

Addressing the media’s role in shaping narratives, Ahaana also urged journalists and publications not to sensationalise her statement or twist her words for clickbait headlines.

“I sincerely hope media platforms do not cherry-pick certain parts of my statement to fit a convenient narrative. This is the full truth, and I request that it be reported responsibly. I am making this statement now to set the record straight, but let me be clear—this will be my first and last response on this matter.”

The Bigger picture: A film wrapped in controversy

Nancy Rani was initially stalled due to the unexpected death of its director, Manu James, on February 24, 2023. Following his demise, Nyna took charge of completing the film and bringing it to theaters. While many hailed her perseverance, the tension surrounding Ahaana’s absence has cast a shadow over the film’s release.

With Ahaana making it clear that she wants to move on, it remains to be seen how this controversy will affect the film’s reception.

Nancy Rani is set to release in theaters across Kerala on April 18, 2025.