Telugu actor Sivaji has ignited a firestorm of criticism across social media platforms following remarks made during a promotional event for his upcoming film, Dhandoraa, in Hyderabad. The comments, widely condemned as deeply misogynistic and regressive, were delivered on Monday evening and have led to calls for accountability from women's rights bodies.
Controversial Comments at Hyderabad Event
During the event, Sivaji praised anchor Sravanthi Chokkarapu for wearing a saree, labeling her attire as "modest." The situation escalated when the audience began chanting for his antagonist character, Mangapathi, from the film Court: State vs A Nobody. Seemingly going off-script, the actor launched into an unsolicited monologue about how women should present themselves in public spaces.
Sivaji asserted that women who choose to wear revealing clothes invite judgment and negative consequences, stating that women are only beautiful when dressed modestly. He further used the Telugu term "saamaan" to refer to women's bodies—a word many online have flagged as dehumanizing and reminiscent of language used in toxic incel culture. In a particularly shocking moment, he claimed that women who dress "immodestly" are privately labeled with a derogatory Telugu slur, a statement that was met with applause from some sections of the audience on stage.
Swift and Widespread Online Backlash
While some at the venue appeared to cheer, the digital backlash was immediate and severe. Social media users accused the Bigg Boss Telugu 7 participant of normalizing moral policing and shaming women under the false guise of upholding cultural values. Many expressed outrage that no one on stage intervened to stop his tirade.
One user on X (formerly Twitter) questioned, "Could none of them standing behind him stop him?" Others called for legal action, with one suggesting, "A suo motu case should be initiated against Sivaji by the Women’s Commission for making such a derogatory remark on a public platform." The consensus online was that such statements from public figures reinforce harmful, sexist attitudes and contribute to a culture of victim-blaming.
Celebrity Reactions and Condemnation
Prominent voices from the South Indian film industry quickly joined the chorus of condemnation. Renowned singer and dubbing artist Chinmayi Sripada strongly criticized Sivaji, accusing him of "rage-baiting" to generate publicity for his film. She highlighted the problematic use of the term "saamaan" and pointed out the hypocrisy of applying selective cultural standards only to women, noting that Sivaji himself was dressed in Western clothing at the event.
Actor Manchu Manoj also issued a clear statement denouncing the remarks. "Policing women’s clothing or placing moral responsibility on them is outdated and unacceptable," he stated, emphasizing that public figures must be acutely aware of the influence their words carry.
This incident has reignited crucial conversations about entrenched sexism in public discourse, the accountability of celebrities, and the responsibility they hold when addressing audiences, especially in professional settings like film promotions. The controversy underscores the ongoing struggle against regressive ideologies that seek to control and judge women based on their attire.
