Director-actor Raghava Lawrence, through a press release, challenged actress Sri Reddy for a public audition offering her a role in his next film. Lawrence was among the group of people accused of sexual misconduct by the Telugu actress.
“I will keep a press meet. I will give you a character, scene and some dance steps which I assure won’t be very difficult. If you really have the talent, perform in front of me and the press. If I feel you are talented, I shall sign you for my next movie and give an advance,” read the press release.
The actress had earlier complained of casting couch prevalent in the film industry and claimed that Lawrence and others including actors Nani and Srikanth and director A.R. Murgadoss received sexual favours from her. She had alleged that Nani was the reason she was not part of the reality show Bigg Boss Telugu. The actor, in his response, refuted these claims and asked people to not take Sri Reddy seriously. He said that he will be taking legal action against her. Murgadoss too said he was initiating legal proceedings against the actress.
Lawrence further stated, “She claims to have met me during the making of Rebel. It’s been seven years since I made Rebel. Why didn’t she come out with the allegations back then? Why now?”
Lawrence, who said he was never worried when the allegations surfaced, added that he was forced to come out after the media began to pester him constantly for a response. He maintained that it was Sri Reddy’s sense of betrayal that made her do such things.
Towards the end of the press release, he said that he respected women and cited his building a temple for his mother as proof for this. The press releases ended with Lawrence wishing the actress a good life.