'I respect women a lot': Chalapathi Rao 'apologises' for lewd remark, but defends it
Actor Chalapathi Rao’s lewd comments at the pre-release audio function of Rarandoi Veduka Chuddam, creates a huge stir in the Telugu film industry, with Nagarjuna seriously condemning it. “Chalapathi Rao’s comment is not right and everybody should condemn it. Not only him, but whoever speaks like that, should be condemned,” says Nagarjuna.
Actress Rakul Preet, the female lead of the film, was also present at the occasion, when Chalapathi Rao made his comment. “Actually, I did not immediately get what he said, as I am not conversant with Telugu. But, when I checked the social media and papers in the morning, I asked my friend what it meant exactly. I strongly condemn his comments. Being a senior member in the Telugu film fraternity, he must behave,” says Rakul Preet.
Some women organisations have already approached the police to file a case against Chalapathi Rao. The Movie Artiste Association (MAA) has also strongly condemned the comment and has sent a warning to every member to desist from such talk.
“He is a senior actor and has been in the industry for the last 40 years. We condemn his comments, and have asked him to apologise,” says Sivaji Raja, the President of MAA. “He is our member and this is the first time he has spoken like this. If he repeats it, we will expel him from the association. This is a warning not just for him, but also for all the others. If we come to know of anyone who speaks derogatorily, we will take serious action and expel them,” says Sivaji Raja. But he requested to consider Chalapathi Rao’s seniority and excuse him from a police case this time. Even as the industry and women organisations condemn the comments, Chalapathi Rao, though apologises, defends his comment. “I respect women a lot. My wife passed away 40 years ago. But I never opted for a second marriage. I took responsibility of my children and worked hard to raise them. I understand that my comment has hurt women. So, I am apologising,” said Chalapathi Rao, through a live Facebook video chat. And soon after he defends his comment, saying, “There is nothing wrong in my comment as I said that they are ‘useful in bed’. Snakes are dangerous, but all the same, we can’t keep them beside us on our bed. Likewise, I meant that girls are not dangerous too. People are attributing a double meaning to what I said, because everyone nowadays speaks like that,” he said.
