Who the Heck Is He? Lakshmi Manchu Lashes Out at Sivaji

The controversy surrounding actor Sivaji has taken a serious turn, with over 100 women professionals from the Telugu film industry submitting a formal complaint to the Movie Artists Association (MAA), demanding strict action against him.

Reacting strongly, actor-producer Lakshmi Manchu said the very fact that MAA responded to the complaint shows it has been officially accepted. “They have responded, which means our complaint has been taken seriously,” she said.

Lakshmi Manchu, along with prominent industry figures including Nandini Reddy, Swapna Dutt, Jhansi, and Supriya Yarlagadda, had earlier written a strongly worded letter seeking action against Sivaji for his controversial comments on actresses’ clothing.

“We are respecting womanhood. We want a committee to be formed and clear rules laid down on how men should speak about women,” she asserted.

The outrage stems from Sivaji’s remarks during an event, where he said actresses should not wear outfits that “showcase glamour” and instead wear sarees to look good. He used a derogatory Telugu term while making the statement, which sparked widespread condemnation.

Calling his comments deeply offensive, Lakshmi Manchu said, “Who the heck is he to advise women on what to wear? On sleeve length or how they should dress? He is stuck in ancient times.”

She alleged that Sivaji’s statements stem from a deeply ingrained male chauvinistic mindset and accused him of trying to stay relevant through cheap talk.

“He is nobody to lecture women. His so-called apology addressed just two words, not the mindset behind his entire speech, which clearly shows recklessness and disrespect towards women and actresses,” she said.

Lakshmi further pointed out that in recent years, women have “shaken mountains” through the MeToo movement, holding powerful men accountable. “Yet this man is getting away with a weak, half-hearted apology,” she said, adding that she felt people on the stage should have stopped him immediately for his unruly remarks.

Despite such regressive attitudes, she said, Telugu actresses are shining across India and breaking glass ceilings. “Women are excelling in every field, and they deserve respect and dignity,” she emphasized.

Expressing strong objection to Sivaji’s remarks, the collective ‘Voice of Woman’, represented by Lakshmi Manchu, Swapna Dutt, Nandini Reddy, Supriya Yarlagadda and others, has written to the MAA President, demanding an immediate and unconditional apology from Sivaji.

They stated that the derogatory Telugu words used, along with implied physical threats, fall under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Section 509, which deals with insulting the modesty of women and is a punishable offence.

“We will explore all available options to take him to task,” Lakshmi Manchu concluded.