Prominent dubbing artist Bhagyalakshmi has made headlines once again with a pointed social media post directed at the Malayalam film industry and actor Dileep. In a series of sharp comments, she questioned the commercial performance of Dileep's recent films despite substantial promotional efforts and financial backing.
A Direct Question on Film Performance
Responding to online criticism suggesting that public relations campaigns and fan support could not salvage certain projects, Bhagyalakshmi posed a direct challenge. On her social media handle, she wrote, "Even after spending so much money, you couldn't save Ettan's films, right?" This remark is widely interpreted as a reference to the underwhelming box office performance of some of Dileep's recent releases, contrasting them with the survivor's career trajectory.
Unwavering Support for the Survivor
In a clear and unequivocal Facebook post, Bhagyalakshmi elaborated on her continued solidarity with the survivor of the 2017 actress assault case. She emphasized that the support extended is not based on the individual's profession but on a fundamental principle. "Those who stand with her are not doing so because she is an actress. They are standing with her because she is a woman," she stated.
She further clarified that the core motivation is to ensure justice and prevent such atrocities. This support is about ensuring that what happened to her never happens to another girl anywhere, Bhagyalakshmi added, framing the issue as a broader societal concern for women's safety.
Highlighting Resilience Without Industry Machinery
Addressing derogatory posts that questioned the audience for the survivor's films, Bhagyalakshmi dismissed them as mere attempts to gain online traction. She pointed out the survivor's resilience, noting that several of her films were released in the past eight years without the typical industry fanfare.
"Over these eight years, some of her films were released. Without any PR work. Without fan worship," Bhagyalakshmi wrote. She positioned this as a stark contrast to the alleged heavy spending on promotions for Dileep's projects, which, according to her, still could not guarantee success.
A Fight for Collective Justice
Bhagyalakshmi framed the survivor's ongoing legal and personal battle as a symbol of strength with wider implications. "She will fight. And she is fighting for your sisters too," she asserted. She described this struggle as a source of courage for women across Kerala and urged fathers and brothers to understand its significance first.
Reacting to abusive comments received online, Bhagyalakshmi adopted a firm stance, declaring that such vitriol does not warrant a response. "No matter who abuses us through videos or comments, none of us will respond. You don't deserve a response," she wrote. She reinforced that their objective is singular: to seek justice, not to exchange threats or court publicity.
Box Office Context
This social media exchange comes amidst reports about the box office performance of Dileep's latest film. According to data from the Sacnilk website, his movie 'Bha.Bha.Ba.' reportedly collected more than Rs 6 crores on its opening day after hitting the big screens.
Bhagyalakshmi's comments continue to fuel public discourse around the 2017 case, the positions of industry figures, and the intersection of cinema, gender, and justice in Kerala.
