Tanushree Dutta Challenges Chiranjeevi's Casting Couch Denial
Tanushree Dutta, the actress widely credited with sparking India's MeToo movement in 2018, has strongly reacted to veteran superstar Chiranjeevi's recent statement dismissing the existence of casting couches in the film industry. In an exclusive conversation with ETimes, Dutta expressed her disappointment and outlined concrete steps she believes industry leaders should take to create safer workplaces for women.
Ground Reality Versus Industry Denial
With due respect, it seems like Mr. Chiranjeevi is really far removed from the ground reality of the film industry and life on planet earth in general, Dutta stated emphatically. She countered that predatory behavior by men who exploit women's vulnerabilities is a documented worldwide phenomenon, particularly in workplaces where power imbalances exist.
There are bad men who do bad things, and the experience of all women cannot be dismissed by one statement, she asserted, questioning whether Chiranjeevi's denial reflects being comfortably removed from industry realities.
The Blame Game and Patriarchal Systems
Dutta addressed the common tendency to blame victims, noting how women are often accused of inviting harassment through their attire or behavior. No, it does not depend on how virtuous a woman is, she declared. The actress described how predatory individuals use manipulation, gaslighting, cornering tactics, and sometimes blatant force to prey on female professionals.
She revealed that every single actress, big or small, has some horror story to share at some point in her career, challenging the notion that these experiences could all be fabricated or misunderstood.
Economic Realities and Workplace Dignity
Responding to implicit suggestions that women should avoid risky workplaces, Dutta highlighted economic necessities. Not every woman has the luxury of sitting at home and living the soft, comfortable life and being provided for and protected, she explained. Many women must navigate what she called this big bad world to earn their bread and butter in a dog-eat-dog world.
She emphasized that everyone deserves dignity in the workplace regardless of gender and social status, framing this as a fundamental right rather than a privilege.
Calling for Leadership and Protection
Dutta proposed that powerful figures like Chiranjeevi should actively protect vulnerable individuals rather than deny their experiences. The powerful must protect the weak, not be a predator to the weak, she stated, though acknowledging that uncivilized people exist across society.
She criticized the film industry's tendency toward insular thinking, suggesting that film industry men often just live in their own bubble, so their words of dismissal towards such topics must be taken with a pinch of salt. Dutta contrasted cinematic heroism with real-world behavior, noting that while actors frequently portray characters who rescue women onscreen, in real life 99.99% of them prefer to support, protect, and work with the bad guys and dismiss the plight of women altogether.
Closing Appeal for Compassionate Action
Expressing profound disappointment, Dutta shared: I feel terribly sorry that a person of Chiranjeevi's stature has such views. Clearly these views have no basis in reality. She urged him to demonstrate leadership through compassion and understanding rather than dismissal.
Dutta concluded with hope for transformation: I believe Chiranjeeviji can emerge to be a real-life hero too the day he decides to support his industry women by using his position to create a safer workplace. It will be a real noble thing to do. Her remarks underscore ongoing conversations about accountability, protection mechanisms, and cultural change within India's entertainment sector.
