Actor Varalaxmi Sarathkumar and filmmaker Vignesh Shivn on Sunday slammed veteran actor Radha Ravi for his derogatory comments on actress Nayanthara.
Radha Ravi, who is known for his insensitive digs, made a remark about Nayanthara at the trailer launch of her upcoming Tamil film Kolayuthir Kaalam on Saturday.
"Nayanthara has acted as ghost and as goddess Sita as well. Earlier, KR Vijaya was the most popular choice to play the role of goddess. Today, anyone can be cast to play a goddess. They can cast someone who you want to pray to when you look at them, they can also cast someone you want to call towards you when you see them," Ravi had said.
His comment earned a lot of backlash on social media after a video of his speech got circulated.
Well-known singer and dubbing artiste Chinmayi Sripaada was among the first to call out Radha Ravi's insensitive comments on Nayanthara.
A few months ago, Radha Ravi, who heads the dubbing union in Tamil Nadu, banned Chinmayi for speaking out against lyricist Vairamuthu for sexual harassment.
Sharing the clip on her Twitter page, she wrote: "Ok. So the Producer's council and the Nadigar Sangam can't take any action in my case because they cannot 'interfere in the functioning of other unions'. But this man is actually abusing a successful female actor on stage. Do take action, if you could?"
Ok.
— Chinmayi Sripaada (@Chinmayi) March 23, 2019
So the Producer's council and the Nadigar Sangam can't take any action in my case because they cannot 'interfere in the functioning of other unions'.
But This man is actually abusing a successful female actor on stage.
Do take action, if you could?
Mucccccchu thanksu. https://t.co/GXHhpZ8d85
Varalaxmi wrote on her Twitter page: "Shaming women, making offensive jokes on women (which they think is not offensive) degrading women, using women as eye candy have all become a part of this film industry thanks to our previous generations of women and men who didn't react and instead thought it was ok. This is our state."
Shaming women,making offensive jokes on women (which they think is not offensive) degrading women, using women as eye candy have all bcom a part of this #filmindustry thanks to our previous generations of women n men who didn't react n instead thought it was ok..this is our state
— varalaxmi sarathkumar (@varusarath) March 24, 2019
She went on to say if all the women in the film fraternity stood up with Chinmayi during #MeToo, things would have changed.
"Silence is not going to get us anywhere. Every single woman has to stand up."
Only when it happens to u, u will realise what we were fighting for..if all the industry women stood up with @Chinmayi or me or the countless women during #metoo may b things would have changed.. silence isn't gonna get us anywhere..#timesup every single woman has to stand up..
— varalaxmi sarathkumar (@varusarath) March 24, 2019
Varalaxmi also said that most film unions and associations are run by "male chauvinists".
"They will never act on anything and just act like they support women, when in reality each of them has in one way or other contributed to this situation of women being degraded either in their reel or real lives," she said.
All these so called #film Sangams r run by a bunch of male chauvinists who will never act on anything n jus act like they support women, when in reality each of them has in one way or other contributed to this situation of women being degraded either in their reel or real lives
— varalaxmi sarathkumar (@varusarath) March 24, 2019
Filmmaker Milind Rau, joining the outrage, said he will never work with Radha Ravi ever again.
"This is disgusting behaviour! I personally take a stand that I will never work with this misogynistic person ever again," he tweeted.
This is disgusting behaviour!I personally take a stand that I will never work with this misogynistic person ever again! @Chinmayi U are absolutely right on calling him out on this!And I stand with U and @23_rahulr on ur rightful crusade against what he represents!#EnoughIsEnough https://t.co/JVDQpMlRMn
— Milind Rau (@Milind_Rau) March 24, 2019
Nayanthara's partner Vignesh Shivn said he feels "clueless" and "helpless" because nobody would take action on Radha Ravi as he comes from a very popular family.
"He keeps doing this to seek attention! Brainless! Sad to see audience laughing and clapping for his filthy comments," he tweeted.
Clueless and helpless cos no one will support or do anything or take any action against that filthy piece of shit coming from a legendary family .. he keeps doing this to seek attention! Brainless !
— Vignesh Shivan (@VigneshShivN) March 24, 2019
Sad to see audience laughing& clapping for his filthy comments!
None of us
Vignesh Shivn also said that nobody had any idea that the event was going to take place for an incomplete film.
"The actual producers or directors left the film few years back I guess! Inappropriate event with unnecessary people sitting and not knowing what to speak! If this is called promoting a movie then it's good to stay away from such events which don't have any need but just to give opportunities like this for jobless people to vomit some senseless, useless stuff on stage."
None of us had any idea that this event was going to take place for an incomplete film .. the actual producers or directors left the film few years back I guess! Inappropriate event wit unnecessary people sitting and knowing not what to speak ! If this is called promoting a movie
— Vignesh Shivan (@VigneshShivN) March 24, 2019
Nayanthara plays a mute character in Kolayuthir Kaalam, which has been directed by Chakri Toleti.
