Sivaji Apologises For Comments On Women Attire

Hyderabad: Actor Sivaji on Thursday apologised for his remarks against women’s attire on December 22 after the issue snowballed into a major controversy after with several celebrities joining ranks against him.

Though director Ram Gopal Varma, Manchu Lakshmi, Nandini Reddy and Manchu Manoj criticised Sivaji for his remarks, actress Anasuya was more forceful in her rebuttal.

Responding to Anasuya’s criticism, Sivaji said, “Anasuya garu spoke about my insecurity. Yes, I am insecure about my heroines who are attacked, and I am worried about unexpected incidents. She said “I pity him”. I thank Anasuya garu for showing pity on me."

Sivaji was responding to Anasuya’s comment, which she made during her live interaction with her fans on official Instagram page. “I hope Sivaji garu will recover soon. You have a long way to go for your recovery. I have enough support from my family and friends. I do not need the support of Sivaji and I wish him a speedy recovery,” she had said.

In reply to Sivaji’s comments on Thursday, Anasuya called him a misogynist. "He is alone in a presser. But he hasn't changed his chauvinistic view towards women. He is insecure and trying to evoke sympathy with his clarifications and trying to justify his cheap comments.”

"I am not a so-called feminist since there are many men who also support women and raise objections to unhealthy comments," she added.

Taking suo motu cognisance of Sivaji’s comments, the Telangana Commission for Women had summoned the actor to its office in Hyderabad at 11 am on December 27.

The commission said that Shivaji made derogatory comments on women at a movie event held on Monday. “The statement appears to be derogatory to the women in general and more particularly the women of Telangana,” the commission observed.