Actress Nidhhi Agerwal has issued a sharp response to veteran Telugu actor Sivaji's controversial remarks suggesting that actresses should dress modestly to avoid unruly crowds at public events. Her reaction comes days after she faced a frightening mob situation at a song launch in Hyderabad.
The Hyderabad Mall Incident and Sivaji's Press Conference
On December 17, Nidhhi Agerwal attended the song launch event for her upcoming film The Raja Saab at Lulu Mall in Hyderabad. Disturbing videos from the event circulated online, showing the actress being surrounded and jostled by a large crowd of men. Her security team struggled to escort her to safety, and she was visibly shaken as she finally reached her car.
Days later, actor Sivaji held a press conference in Hyderabad where he addressed the incident. He reiterated his long-standing stance that actresses must dress modestly during public appearances. Referring to the Lulu Mall event, he implied that Nidhhi's choice of outfit had "provoked" the crowd. He also referenced a similar situation where actress Samantha Ruth Prabhu was mobbed at a store opening on December 21, noting she was "luckily" wearing a saree.
Nidhhi's Firm Rebuttal on Social Media
Reacting to these comments, Nidhhi Agerwal took to her Instagram Stories. Without naming Sivaji directly, she shared a photo from the Lulu Mall event and wrote a clear, pointed message: "Blaming the victim is called manipulation." This statement marked her direct pushback against the narrative that a woman's clothing is responsible for the actions of a mob.
Sivaji's Justification and Comparison with Other Actresses
During the press meet, Sivaji denied that he was blaming Nidhhi or Samantha, even as he continued to defend his perspective. When questioned by reporters on why he advises women on their attire instead of calling out men's behaviour, he responded, "Who will listen? He says he will still talk to her or click pictures."
He elaborated on the Samantha incident, stating, "Samantha had the advantage; she was luckily in a saree." He claimed that Gen Z individuals often do not know better and have an urge to touch celebrities, citing a past example of even the legendary Sridevi facing such an issue in Tenali.
Sivaji further tried to clarify, "I am not blaming Samantha or Nidhhi for it. All I am saying is, they need to be careful. What if Nidhhi’s clothes had slipped? Nobody would even remove the video if we asked them to."
As reporters pressed him on the fact that harassment is independent of clothing, Sivaji compared the two actresses to others in the industry. "A lot of people asked on social media if anyone ever touched Sai Pallavi, Anushka, Soundarya, Bhumika, or Laya and Meera Jasmine? They all dress modestly," he said. He concluded with a warning, "Do not provoke; men will feel like they can touch you when you do so. Dress however you feel like, but I am just pointing out facts."
The exchange has sparked a significant debate online about victim-blaming, the safety of celebrities at public events, and the persistent scrutiny of women's fashion choices in the face of unruly public behaviour.
