Srimanthudu Actress Criticizes Kollywood’s Double Standards on Equality

Tamil actress and former Bigg Boss Tamil contestant Sanam Shetty has voiced her strong disapproval of the film Bad Girl calling it a misguided example of feminism. Actress also played a small role in Mahesh Babu's Srimanthudu. The movie produced by Vetrimaaran and directed by Varsha Bharath has sparked controversy for allegedly promoting harmful messages to young audiences.

Sanam Shetty took to her official X account on February 18, 2025, to express her frustration. She wrote, “#BADGIRL Teaser is NOT a BOLD Example.. It’s a #BAD Example! #Freedom of choice and #GenderEquality concepts are wrongly portrayed in case of #Minors here! #Legally, #Ethically and even #Medically it sends a terribly #wrong message to the already influenceable adolescent children! Extremely disappointed with the so-called Responsible Film Makers funding and supporting this Film. Do you agree with me?”

Sanam Shetty further criticized the film's approach, stating that equality is about opportunities, not reckless behavior. Speaking to reporters, she said, “Equality doesn’t mean sleeping with multiple people, smoking cigarettes or ganja. Equality means asking us with equal opportunities. If you ask whether there’s equal opportunity between men and women, the answer is no. Take our industry, for example. Are the salaries given to male and female actors the same? No. Is the way male and female actors are approached the same? No. I’m speaking from personal experience. When we think they call us to act in movies, instead, they call us for sleeping with them. This is the approach. Equality is needed here, and you should speak for this. If you’re suggesting schoolgirl to sleep with ten people, smoke cigarette, ganja, and consume alcohol, what kind of thinking is that?”

Sanam Shetty’s remarks have sparked a larger debate on feminism and equality in the film industry particularly in Kollywood.