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Telugu actor Chalapathi Rao's sleazy comment on women kicks off a storm

Last Updated 23 May 2017, 11:52 IST
Cases were booked against senior character actor Tammareddy Chalapathi Rao for his sexist comment on women at the audio release function of Annapurna studios latest “Rarandoi Veduka Chuddam” at the Banjara hills police station on Tuesday following complaints from women’s groups. ''Rarandoi Veduka Chudham'' stars Naga Chaitanya and Rakul Preet in lead roles and produced by Naga Chaitanya's father, actor Nagarjuna Akkineni.

At the pre launch function held here recently Geetha the anchor of the function was dumb found when Chalapathi who was sitting in the first row answered her question whether women are harmful to health in a most demeaning manner. “Ammayilu hanikaram kadu kani... pakkalo ki paniki vastharu’ (I don’t know whether women are harmful or not but they are useful in bed),” Chalapathi Rao who had a long stint as a villain spat it out shocking the anchor. While a shell shocked Geetha returned to the stage her co anchor Ravi, who said that it was a super answer.

After the pre launch the Chalapathi Rao’s comments become viral on social media followed by an outpour of resentment from all walks of life. Actor Nagarjuna the producer of the movie tweeted “I always respect women personally and in my films/I definitely do not agree wt Chalapati rao's derogatory comments/dinosaurs do not exist!!🙏”. “Respecting women is a way of life for me. The reactions shown on TV weren’t for the statement made. Do I agree with it? Absolutely NOT!.”

Rakul, who plays the female lead in the film, also condemned Chalapathi’s remarks. “Apologies 4 a late response 2 #ChalapathiRao comments! Wish I understood d exact meaning of it then. I condemn it n my off stmnt wil b out soon,” she tweeted.

Responding to the flak, Chalapathi Rao tendered apologies to the women in general and the anchor in particular saying that it’s just slipped out of his tongue. “I came to the programme a bit late. Just as I sat down the anchor came and asked me, I answered without applying my mind to it,” Chalapathi Rao said on a Telugu TV channel in an attempt to douse the fire.

Meanwhile Movie Artists Association (MAA) convened a press conference and condemned Chalapathi Rao’s comments. “All the Telugu artists condemned the comments. We work in a very congenial atmosphere and there is no discrimination based on sex of the artists in Telugu industry,” actor Naresh said.


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(Published 23 May 2017, 11:52 IST)

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