After director Sekhar Kammula lashed out indirectly at actor Sri Reddy for alleging through a cryptic Facebook post that he had sexually harassed her, Sri Reddy has hit back at the filmmaker.
In a Facebook Live, the actor said that she will not bow down to 'money power'.
"Yesterday, a social media post maligning me came to my notice. It is vulgar, demeaning and full of lies. It has caused deep grief to my family, to me and many more who value me," Kammula wrote on Twitter on Tuesday.
"I could never imagine in my wildest dreams that a woman whom I don't know, have not seen or never spoken to in person or on the phone, can suddenly make these baseless allegations. Whatever might be their intentions and whoever might be involved in this diabolic act, I would like to say that it is WRONG, IMMORAL and CRIMINAL," he added.
Sri Reddy in a Facebook post, had suggested that a top director used to 'roam around' near her house and used to harass several women and ask for video calls. While she did not name Sekhar or his films in the first post, she had indirectly hinted at his name.
"People who know me and my work would be aware of the kind of importance I give to equality of women and their empowerment. I live by my CHARACTER and die by it. I will not spare anyone who tries to point fingers at it. APOLOGIZE and take back every word that was posted against me or be ready to face legal action, which will include criminal/civil proceedings," Sekhar Kammula had tweeted in response.
Yesterday a social media post maligning me came to my notice. It is vulgar, demeaning and full of lies. It has caused deep grief to my family, to me and many more who value me.
— Sekhar Kammula (@sekharkammula) April 3, 2018
I could never imagine in my wildest dreams that a woman whom I don't know, have not seen or never spoken to in person or on the phone can suddenly make these baseless allegations.
— Sekhar Kammula (@sekharkammula) April 3, 2018
Whatever might be their intentions and whoever might be involved in this diabolic act , I would like to say that it is WRONG, IMMORAL and CRIMINAL
— Sekhar Kammula (@sekharkammula) April 3, 2018
People who know me and my work would be aware of the kind of importance I give to equality of women and their empowerment. I live by my CHARACTER and die by it. I will not spare anyone who tries to point fingers at it.
— Sekhar Kammula (@sekharkammula) April 3, 2018
APOLOGIZE and take back every word that was posted against me or be ready to face legal action, which will include criminal/civil proceedings.
— Sekhar Kammula (@sekharkammula) April 3, 2018
Responding to the director’s tweets on Wednesday morning, Sri Reddy named Kammula directly and said that she was not afraid of facing the law, and would not bow down to the ‘money power’ that she was up against.
She also said that she had everything with proof and she will proceed legally. She also warned fans of the director against abusing her on social media.
Sri Reddy
The debate about the prevalence of "casting couch", a euphemism for sexual harassment at the workplace, in the Telugu film industry has heated up over the last one month, with actor Sri Reddy threatening to name and shame the men who indulge in the practice.
It all started early in March when Sri Reddy gave an interview to a local Telugu channel and said that the "casting couch" was rampant in Tollywood. She also claimed that at least 90% of the women would have been asked for such ‘requests’ but would not openly admit it.
The claims had resulted in a domino effect, sparking off discussions about the issue.
Since then, Sri Reddy has been indirectly naming other prominent members of the industry and has accused them of asking sexual favours in exchange for a role in their films.