Overview
- At a January 25 Hyderabad event, Chiranjeevi said there is no casting-couch culture in Tollywood and framed outcomes as dependent on individual behaviour, calling the industry a mirror that reflects one’s conduct.
- His remarks triggered sharp pushback across social platforms and industry circles, with many criticizing the comments as victim-blaming; no retraction or apology has been reported.
- Singer Chinmayi Sripaada countered that coercion is widespread, citing the euphemism of seeking “full commitment,” recounting incidents of alleged assaults, and reiterating her allegation of molestation by lyricist Vairamuthu.
- Earlier accounts from actors such as Saiyami Kher and Fatima Sana Shaikh resurfaced, describing coercive or uncomfortable casting interactions tied to southern projects.
- The episode renewed scrutiny of a Telangana high-level committee set up after Sri Reddy’s 2018 protest, whose report on harassment and discrimination in Telugu film and television remains unpublished.