Singer Chinmayi Sripaada has strongly reacted to veteran Telugu actor Chiranjeevi’s recent remarks stating that there is no casting couch culture in the film industry and that such situations depend on individuals. His comments have sparked widespread debate and criticism.

Speaking at a public event in Hyderabad, Chiranjeevi said, “There is no casting couch culture as such. It depends on the individual.” Many felt that this statement indirectly shifted responsibility onto victims rather than addressing the systemic nature of the problem.

Responding through a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter), Chinmayi firmly rejected this view, stating that casting couch practices are very much a reality, particularly for women trying to enter the industry. Drawing from her own experiences and those shared by several others, she described the issue as deeply entrenched and widespread.

“Casting couch is rampant. Women are denied opportunities if they don’t offer ‘full commitment’—a word that means something very different in the film industry,” Chinmayi wrote.

She also countered Chiranjeevi’s claim that the film industry acts as a mirror reflecting one’s character. “Women today are educated, aware, and even come from abroad, yet they still face harassment. So no, the industry is not a mirror of who you are,” she stated.

Recalling her own traumatic experience, Chinmayi once again spoke about being molested by lyricist Vairamuthu at a young age. She emphasized that demanding sexual favours in exchange for work remains the core problem and added that the presence of parents or guardians often does not deter predatory behaviour.

Chinmayi also warned newcomers about how industry terminology is deliberately misused. According to her, many women initially interpret “commitment” as professionalism, only to later realise that some men use it as a coded demand for sexual access.
“These men remain in positions of power and feel entitled to women’s bodies in exchange for work,” she said.

Further highlighting the severity of the issue, Chinmayi shared disturbing accounts from other women, including an incident where a female musician allegedly had to lock herself inside a sound booth to escape a sexual assault attempt. She also referred to repeat offenders who continue to be celebrated despite allegations of harassment, including sending explicit images and making sexual demands.

Reflecting on generational differences, Chinmayi noted that senior stars like Chiranjeevi come from an era where many actors worked within familiar and relatively protected circles. However, she stressed that the industry today functions very differently and poses significantly higher risks for women, especially newcomers.

She also spoke about the backlash faced by women during the MeToo movement, pointing out how several senior figures dismissed, mocked, or insulted survivors, further discouraging victims from speaking out.

Chiranjeevi’s remarks have since drawn widespread criticism on social media, with many accusing him of downplaying the issue and indirectly blaming victims instead of acknowledging sexual harassment as a systemic problem within the film industry.