Sivaji Incident: Lakshmi Manchu, Swapna Dutt & Others Complain To MAA

The controversy surrounding actor Sivaji has now taken a serious turn, with over 100 women professionals from the Telugu Film Industry submitting a formal complaint to the Movie Artists Association (MAA).

With Sivaji saying that actresses shouldn’t wear dresses that showcase their glamour (he used a more derogatory word, Saamaan) and should wear sarees to look good, the women's world is burning right now.

Expressing strong objection to Sivaji’s remarks made during a press meet, “Voice Of Woman”, which is represented by Lakshmi Manchu, Swapna Dutt, Nandini Reddy, Supriya Yarlagadda and others, have written to MAA President, demanding Sivaji’s immediate apology.

They stated that the derogatory Telugu words throwing explicit physical threats would fall under BNS Section 509, and are a punishable offence as it deals with the insulting of the modesty of women.

They have also warned that if Sivaji does not tender an apology, they will be forced to approach legal routes. They stated that moral policing of women, including their attire, whether saree or otherwise, has no place in the modern creative industry like cinema.

The complaint highlighted that it is deeply disturbing when the influential industry makes such comments while enjoying the benefits and visibility of cinema.

Another major concern raised in the complaint is the silence of the film industry regarding incidents like Nidhie Aggerwal and Samantha getting mobbed in public. They stated that women are loudly judged for their dressing, but their safety and dignity are ignored when actually violated.