Telugu actor Sri Reddy has said she will continue to fight against sexual harassment in the local film industry even if she has to go on an all-out war with the Movie Artistes’ Association (MAA).
Reddy took a stand against alleged sexual harassment by protesting outside the Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce, which apparently prompted the MAA to take notice and break their silence over the raging controversy going on for nearly a month.
The Telugu actor accused a Tollywood mogul’s son of sexually harassing her.
After seeking justice on the streets of Film Nagar in a nude protest against the Tollywood film fraternity, the Movie Artistes’ Association finally banned Reddy’s membership.
According to a report in Economic Times, both parties issued statements and told their side of the story by accusing each other of doing publicity stunt and manipulating the facts.
MAA president Sivaji Raja threatened the actor by saying, “Not only this, action will be taken against any artiste who decides to share screen space with her.”
In her reply to Sivaji, Reddy was quoted as saying, “On what basis will they ban me? They have no right to do so. As a woman, I have the right to protest and to speak my mind. How dare they ban me and threaten other artistes?”
In his statement, Sivaji also said Reddy’s move was nothing but a publicity stunt and they will take the legal route to deal with her.
“We have every right to stop artistes from working with Sri Reddy. First of all, she isn’t even our member so there’s no question of us banning her. As per our by-laws, we have the right to tell our artistes not to work with Sri Reddy. We will now take the legal route to deal with her. We have already filed a police complaint against her and will be taking legal action,” Sivaji explained.
Reddy, who has worked in a few Telugu films, is ready for an-all-out war with MAA and will be dealing with them legally if required.
“By denying me membership and preventing other artistes from working with me, they are sending out a message to all women that this is what will happen to them if they speak up about the harassment and abuse that they face. But I will not be deterred. Let them bring their lawyers, I will bring mine,” she retorts.
When asked why all of a sudden MAA breaks its silence over the infamous casting couch, the actor says it’s nothing but a face-saving attempt from them.
“They held an hour-long press conference and said all sorts of things against me. But they didn’t say a word about casting couch, sexual abuse and other issues that I have raised. In fact, the only reason they are even speaking now is because my protest has reached the national media and they cannot avoid it anymore. This is nothing, but a face-saving attempt from them. But I’ll continue to fight,” Reddy said.