Telugu actress Sri Reddy, who recently made the headlines after she stripped in front of Hyderabad’s Telugu Chamber of Commerce building, the headquarters of the Movie Artistes’ Association (MAA), is no longer banned by the association. MAA lifted the ban last week on her, also announced that they would set up a committee in three months to look into sexual harassment charges.
Meanwhile, she has got support from women’s rights activists and other actresses in Hyderabad. Junior actresses of the Telugu film industry gathered on Sunday evening in Hyderabad to voice their concerns. Sri Reddy, who attended the gathering, said that the Telugu film industry has often denied roles to local actresses and have given chances to North Indian girls with ‘fair complexion’.
According to Deccan Chronicle, the actresses have ‘threatened to reveal the names of actors, directors and producers who have assaulted them if they don’t respond to their concerns’.
One of the actresses, Hema shared her story, “I was promised a few roles with commitment but after I slept with those guys, they denied me the roles saying that I am dark-skinned and not that good looking. That same night they would text me asking what kind of dress I am wearing, why don’t you send your sexy pictures, nude pictures, pictures in a two-piece.”
Another actress Apoorva alleged, “We are working in film industry due to lack of employment. No hero is coming in open to support us. Film industry shall positively come in support of this fight against casting couch,”
Meanwhile, filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma has been supportive of Sri Reddy’s predicament and likened her to Emperor Ashoka.
It’s only truth which can never lie and it’s only a lie which can never speak truth—- @MsSriReddy
— Ram Gopal Varma (@RGVzoomin) April 12, 2018
Those condemning @MsSriReddy on how she can project herself as a social activist now,when in her past she did such deeds and language she used, are not realising that a change of heart is what made even the tyrant king Ashoka great
— Ram Gopal Varma (@RGVzoomin) April 15, 2018
Ashoka the king,killed many people and then he had a change of heart and became a saviour of lakhs of people and that is why I think @MsSriReddy is as Great as Ashoka the Great
— Ram Gopal Varma (@RGVzoomin) April 15, 2018
Men are now too scared to face the honesty of @MsSriReddy and all the women who are speaking against her are just jealous of her. Real truthful and sincere women will only follow Sri Stree Shakti
— Ram Gopal Varma (@RGVzoomin) April 15, 2018
