Rajashekhar’s car was attacked by some unknown men with iron rods and stones in the busy Punjagutta area in Hyderabad on Sunday evening. Rajashekhar and one of his daughters Shivani got minor injuries and the car was damaged. The Punjagutta police have registered a case. Even as an outraged Rajashekhar and his actress wife Jeevitha were demanding police protection for their family in TV interviews, Chiranjeevi went to Rajashekhar’s house and waited patiently for the couple to return.

Chiranjeevi apologised to Rajashekhar for the attack and urged his fans to desist from expressing their anger. “This is not our culture,” he rebuked his fans. The attack came within hours of Rajashekhar, who had campaigned for N T Rama Rao, his wife Lakshmi Parvati after NTR’s death and the Telugu Desam Party, stating that he would not join Chiranjeevi’s party as he lacked experience.

For the past few weeks there have been strong rumours that Chiranjeevi would launch a political party. The actor who has a huge following and fan clubs in the two Godavari coastal districts, has not committed himself publicly but his family members are making overt preparations meeting politicians, organising meetings of fan clubs and leaders of backward caste groups.

Regarding Rajashekhar's comments Chiranjeevi said he saw nothing offensive in them. “It is his opinion and he has a right to speak out in a democracy,” he said.

Strongly condemning the attack, Chiranjeevi said he shared the trauma suffered by Rajashekhar. “I too have daughters. I can understand his anxiety,” he said. Turning to Rajashekhar, Chiranjeevi said in Telugu, “Please forgive me. I am very hurt by the attack. I had to come and see you because you are like my brother,” he said.