HYDERABAD: TikToker cum Choreographer Madhu Raju who shot to prominence with Telugu songs finds his career teetering on the edge as deportation fears mount following a controversial dance video he posted online.
Shot with a female companion at the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C., a solemn site honoring nearly 400,000 fallen Americans, the clip exploded across social media, drawing swift and widespread condemnation from those who saw it as a slight to veterans' memories.
Raju, owner of MAD Dance studio in Dallas, Texas, first posted the video on TikTok, only to face a wave of backlash. Despite his attempts to erase the footage from his accounts, it racked up over a million views on X (formerly Twitter). In the aftermath, Raju seems to have vanished from social media, with his Instagram, studio pages, and website all going dark.
Online sleuths quickly linked Raju to his day job as a Cloud Network Security Engineer at Palo Alto Networks, flooding the company's X account with demands for his firing. Some even called for his replacement by an American worker, citing recent tech industry layoffs. So far, Palo Alto Networks has stayed silent.
The uproar has also cast a spotlight on Raju's immigration status. The X account spearheading the campaign against him announced plans to file a formal complaint with the U.S. Department of State, alleging visa violations that could lead to his visa being revoked and possible deportation. Reports suggest immigration officials are now scrutinizing his case.
The woman who danced alongside Raju remains a mystery. Some online speculate she could be singer Manisha Eerabathini, pointing to her Instagram, which features several dance collaborations with Raju. Eerabathini has yet to break her silence on the rumors.
Social media erupted with criticism, as many insisted the WWII Memorial is no place for viral videos. "This is not a place for TikTok," one user declared, echoing a chorus of disapproval. Others underscored the memorial's gravity, reminding that India sent over 2.5 million soldiers to the Allied cause in World War II, making the perceived disrespect sting even more.
Raju has apologized for his actions, but authorities are reportedly pressing on with their investigation. For now, his future in the United States hangs in the balance as the immigration review continues.