Actor Sivaji appears before Telangana Women’s Commission over derogatory remarks

Hyderabad: Tollywood actor Sivaji on Saturday appeared before the Telangana State Commission for Women to offer an explanation regarding his controversial remarks on women’s clothing.

A few days ago, at a pre-release event of his upcoming film Dandora, the actor made statements urging women actors not to wear revealing outfits which sparked widespread criticism for being regressive.

The Commission summoned Sivaji under Section 16(1)(b) of the Telangana Women’s Commission Act, 1998. In its notice, the panel said the actor’s comments appeared derogatory to women in general and to women of Telangana in particular and seemed intended to defame women in society.

At the Dandora event, Shivaji had urged women in the film industry and public life to dress modestly, linking revealing attire to incidents of public harassment. His remarks were met with sharp backlash from women’s rights groups and public figures demanding accountability.

Following the uproar, the actor issued a public apology, admitting that he had used “two unparliamentary words” during his speech. He expressed regret for offending women, clarifying that his intention was to highlight safety concerns rather than insult or demean anyone.

Speaking in Telugu at the event, Shivaji said, “I request all heroines not to wear revealing outfits. Please wear sarees or dresses that fully cover the body.

"Beauty lies in complete attire, not in exposing physical assets. Freedom is precious, don't misuse it. People respect you based on your conduct. Glamour should have limits; it should not cross a certain line.”

Sivaji’s remarks came in the wake of a mobbing incident involving actress Nidhhi Agerwal during the song launch of her film The Raja Saab at Hyderabad’s Lulu Mall.

Videos showed the actress leaving the venue in distress, clutching her clothes while being jostled by an unruly crowd, before being escorted to her vehicle. The episode underscored serious lapses in crowd management and the troubling conduct of frenzied fans.

In response to Sivaji’s comments, a group Voice of Women comprising industry's prominent women such as director Nandini Reddy, producers Supriya Yarlagadda and Swapna Dutt, actor-producer Lakshmi Manchu, and anchor-actor Jhansi Laxmi wrote to the Movie Artists Association (MAA), demanding an unconditional public apology and action against what they described as moral-policing remarks.

Singer Chinmayi Sripaada also condemned the actor’s statements on social media, saying, “Telugu Actor Sivaji doles out unnecessary advice to Actresses using slurs like ‘Daridrapu Munda’ saying they need to wear Saris to cover their ‘Saamaan’ - a word incels use.

Actor Shivaji played a villain in a fantastic film and end up becoming the hero for incel boys. The point is - these are professional spaces where Shivaji is using words like ‘Daridrapu Munda’. He himself wears Jeans and Hoodie. He should wear only Dhotis and follow Indian culture. Wear bottu and if he is married wear the Kankanam and Mettelu to signify he is married. Unbelievable how women are treated here. Just unbelievable.”