Singer and dubbing artiste Chinmayi Sripaada, who had last month come forward with allegations of sexual harassment against veteran poet-lyricist Vairamuthu as part of the #MeToo movement, has revealed that the South Indian Cine Television Artistes and Dubbing Artistes Union has terminated her membership. Ms Sripaada, who has dubbed for many southern actresses over the last decade, tweeted about her contract being terminated by the dubbing union.
"So given to understand that I have been terminated from the dubbing union. Which means I can no longer dub in Tamil films henceforth? The reason stated is that I haven't paid 'subscription fees' for 2 years though this hasn't stopped them from taking 10 per cent off my dubbing income," Chinmayi Sripaada tweeted on Saturday, and added that if she is no longer the member of the union, then she can't dub anymore in Tamil industry.
Sooo given to understand that I have been terminated from the dubbing union. Which means I can longer dub in Tamil films henceforth. The reason stated is that I haven't paid 'subscription fees' for 2 years though this hasn't stopped them from taking 10% off my dubbing income
— Chinmayi Sripaada (@Chinmayi) November 17, 2018
According to Tamil Film Industry rules if you're not a member of the dubbing union they wont allow you to work. Considering no written communication, message was sent to me on past dues and with the membership terminated I wonder if I ll dub for a film again in Tamil.
— Chinmayi Sripaada (@Chinmayi) November 17, 2018
This move, according to insiders, has come after Ms Sripaada backed several women who spoke against actor Radha Ravi, who heads the dubbing union.
Where Mr Radha Ravi has stated I wont be allowed to dub anymore. :)
— Chinmayi Sripaada (@Chinmayi) November 17, 2018
The union is supposed to send me a notice at least and perhaps ask me to pay a penalty.
FYI the dubbing union asks to pay upto 5 Lakhs as membership fee. It is not a fixed amount and is arbitrary https://t.co/NyC0ATI6A5
Anyway I always knew my career would be done with. Society is run by the powerful. The predators will NEVER be questioned. Neither will disciplinary action be taken against them. Fact that Mr Radha Ravi is still President of the Dubbing Union despite all the allegations https://t.co/gFrQJJuXIa
— Chinmayi Sripaada (@Chinmayi) November 17, 2018
Ms Sripaada said: "I expected the first axe to go down from the dubbing union. I don't know yet if I'll be given my membership back. Just a decision that's been taken without informing me that my membership is terminated. I am still on the much publicised concert tour in the US."
I expected the first axe to go down from the dubbing union. I dont know yet if I'll be given my membership back. Just a decision that's been taken without informing me that my membership is terminated. I am still on the much publicised concert tour in the US.
— Chinmayi Sripaada (@Chinmayi) November 17, 2018
On a concluding note, she wrote: "Anyway as of now it looks like 96 will be my last in Tamil. It is a good film to end my Tamil dubbing scene with if the termination were to continue. Bye Bye!"
Anyway as of now it looks like '96 will be my last in Tamil. It is a good film to end my Tamil dubbing scene with if the termination were to continue.
— Chinmayi Sripaada (@Chinmayi) November 17, 2018
Bye Bye!
To all those who asked me why did you not speak up 13 years ago? Proof of what happens when women speak up. Ippove indha gadhi. As if the system, society and everyone would have helped then
— Chinmayi Sripaada (@Chinmayi) November 17, 2018
In October, Vairamuthu was outed as an alleged sexual predator by several women on social media, including Chinmayi Sripaada. Some harrowing accounts of survivors were shared by the singer while many have been posted on Twitter by journalist Sandhya Menon, who has been leading the #MeToo movement on Twitter. Last month, Vairamathu had denied the allegations in a tweet, saying: "Spreading defamatory things about popular personalities is becoming a culture across the country. I have been continuously insulted in recent times. This is also part of it. I will not bother about falsehood. Time will tell the truth."
