At the trailer launch of the film Kolaiyuthir Kaalam, veteran actor Radha Ravi in his speech openly slut shamed Nayanthara, the lead actor in the film.
Here are a few excerpts from his speech.
“I agree that Nayanthara is a good actress and she is sustaining in the industry for several years. There have been several reports about her, yet she stands tall. Tamil Nadu people remember anything only for four days, then they forget. Now, she is a known face,”
“She plays a ghost in Tamil films and the goddess Sita in Telugu movies. In my days, we would cast actresses like KR Vijaya to play the role of Sita. Today, anybody can play Sita. You can cast a person, whom you respect or someone who sleeps around.”
Radha Ravi also made disrespectful comments about the Pollachi sexual assaults, saying, “What is the difference between a big film and a small film? If you rape one girl at once, it is a small film. If you rape 40 people at once, like in Pollachi, it is a big film,” he said.
While the comments were reportedly made on Saturday, as of Sunday at the time of writing this article, no top actor, director, producer or any other member of the Tamil film fraternity has condemned Radha Ravi’s statement.
Ok.
So the Producer’s council and the Nadigar Sangam can’t take any action in my case because they cannot ‘interfere in the functioning of other unions’.But This man is actually abusing a successful female actor on stage.
Do take action, if you could?
Mucccccchu thanksu. https://t.co/GXHhpZ8d85
— Chinmayi Sripaada (@Chinmayi) March 23, 2019
Been waiting since yesterday for *some* sort of a condemnation from the male actor fraternity in Tamilnadu since yesterday.
In this video Radha Ravi, President, TN Dubbing Union openly slut shames a female actor at HER movie’s trailer launch.
And not. a. word from anyone. Yet.— Chinmayi Sripaada (@Chinmayi) March 24, 2019
Radha Ravi’s speech was made on Saturday, and singer Chinmayi tweeted about it, condeming his speech. Varalaxmi Sarathkumar later commented on it, criticizing the veteran actor.
Only when it happens to u, u will realise what we were fighting for..if all the industry women stood up with @Chinmayi or me or the countless women during #metoo may b things would have changed.. silence isn’t gonna get us anywhere..#timesup every single woman has to stand up..
— varalaxmi sarathkumar (@varusarath) March 24, 2019
If people are finding it funny that is the kind of world we have created by degrading ourselves n keeping silent for so many years of abuse..if we don’t start respecting ourselves..we can’t expect others to respect us.. speak up now..don’t wait until it happens to you n then cry
— varalaxmi sarathkumar (@varusarath) March 24, 2019
Director Vignesh Shivan also tweeted on Radha Ravi, claiming that no big actor has condemned the actor for his remarks.
Clueless and helpless cos no one will support or do anything or take any action against that filthy piece of shit coming from a legendary family .. he keeps doing this to seek attention! Brainless !
Sad to see audience laughing& clapping for his filthy comments!
None of us— Vignesh Shivan (@VigneshShivN) March 24, 2019
None of us had any idea that this event was going to take place for an incomplete film .. the actual producers or directors left the film few years back I guess! Inappropriate event wit unnecessary people sitting and knowing not what to speak ! If this is called promoting a movie
— Vignesh Shivan (@VigneshShivN) March 24, 2019
Then it’s good to stay away from such events which don’t have any need but jus to give opportunities like this for jobless people to vomit ? some senseless , useless stuff on stage !
Anyways no one from Nadigar sangam or any sangam will take any action against him #Sad #state— Vignesh Shivan (@VigneshShivN) March 24, 2019
Raadhika Sarathkumar, Radha Ravi’s sister tweeted that her brother’s comment was done ‘in bad taste’, what appeared to be a slap on the wrist for a slew of horribly misogynistic comments.
Nayanthara is one of the few dedicated actors we hav today, have the pleasure knowing her and sharing professional space with her, she is above all this, did not watch full video , but met Ravi today and told him it was not in good taste at all. https://t.co/zTUVSa4fWC
— Radikaa Sarathkumar (@realradikaa) March 24, 2019
As of this morning, Vishal and Taapsee have also condemned the veteran actor for his remarks.
Dear #radharavi SIR.Yes as a gen Secy of Nadigar sangam I wish I had da pleasure of signing the letter of condemning u 4 yr stupidity n yr recent speech against women n particular.its snt 2 u.grow https://t.co/IgLu1huAfc yaself Ravi fm nowonwrds Coz u hv a woman s name n ya name.
— Vishal (@VishalKOfficial) March 24, 2019
This is disgusting beyond words. Who asked him about casting pre requisites and is he the president of character certificate association? This comes for one of the strongest actresses of the industry,I can only wonder what he might have to say about others https://t.co/tFjTZ04gRB
— taapsee pannu (@taapsee) March 24, 2019
Radha Ravi has been suspended from his political party, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam as of 8 am Malaysian time today.
Actor Radharavi has been suspended from the party – DMK Gen Secretary K Anbazhagan statement. pic.twitter.com/4Wx9WKInVh
— Karthigaichelvan S (@karthickselvaa) March 25, 2019
Radha Ravi’s full speech at the audio launch is here.
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