In the film industry, male actors often deliver powerful dialogues praising the greatness of women on-screen, earning cheers and applause from fans. However, the reality off-screen appears to be starkly different. Concerns have been raised about the behavior of some male actors who allegedly reveal their true intentions once the cameras stop rolling, reportedly inviting actresses to their rooms and female character artists to guest houses. These allegations extend beyond actors to include producers and comedians, highlighting a troubling culture where women are perceived merely as objects.
Actress Samantha has recently voiced her concerns, calling for the establishment of a committee similar to the Justice Hema Committee in Tollywood. This request was directed to Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, emphasizing the need for measures to protect women in the industry. Samantha commended the Hema Committee’s work in exposing the issues faced by women in the Malayalam film industry and also praised the Women in Film Collective (WCC) for their role in forming the committee. She urged that the Voice of Women, a Tollywood support group established in 2019, should come under the WCC’s guidance.
Samantha further appealed to the Telangana government through social media, requesting the formation of a committee to ensure a safe working environment for women in Tollywood. She highlighted the prevalence of the casting couch in the industry, with many women reportedly suffering from this issue. Samantha noted that her own straightforwardness had shielded her from such situations but acknowledged that this problem persists across the industry.
Actress Anushka Shetty, in a recent interview, corroborated these concerns, stating that she had observed the casting couch culture in Tollywood. She emphasized that the issue is not confined to the film industry but exists in various other sectors as well. The fact that prominent actresses like Anushka are speaking out underscores the severity of the situation.
The argument that the Telugu film industry is unsafe for women is not new; it has persisted for decades. Both current and former female actors have spoken out about their experiences with the casting couch. They allege that they are often pressured to fulfill the demands of influential industry figures, with non-compliance leading to retaliation and lost opportunities. This toxic culture has reportedly denied many talented artists their deserved recognition.
Notably, senior actress Vichitra once revealed that a Tollywood actor had harassed her after she refused his advances, and actress Madhavilatha has also made casting couch allegations against a well-known star. These are just a few of the numerous accusations that have surfaced, prompting fans and industry insiders alike to demand that the government take decisive action, as advocated by Samantha, to investigate and address these allegations.