Tamannaah, Nayanthara, Rana Daggubati lambast filmmaker for ‘sexist’ remarks

Tamil filmmaker Suraj has come under serious criticism from South film industry actors for his sexist remarks during the promotion of his latest film, Kaththi Sandai. The director’s comments were specifically against his film’s lead actress Tamannaah. The actress was quick in lambasting him. She found support from fellow actress Nayanthara and now, from Rana Raggubati too. 

While giving an interview during the promotion of the film, Suraj highlighted that it is necessary for females actors to show skin in commercial films. He said, “We are a low-class audience. People give money to watch a hero fight, and a glamorous heroine. I don’t believe in a heroine clad in a saree. People are paying money, right? They are not watching a movie for free. They are paying money to watch Tamannah in a glamorous role.”

He also went onto say that commercial cinema is not a place to showcase acting skills. “If they want to act, they can do that separately. But in commercial movies they have to sizzle and be glamorous,” he added. 

The most atrocious of the comments Suraj made are regarding the length of costumes worn by the heroines. "If the costume designer comes to me with the heroine’s clothes covering the knee, I tell them to shorten the length. They would repeatedly say that ‘madam would be upset’, but I insist and get it done.” 

Tamannaah was quick to attack the filmmaker for his comments. Without mincing words, she said, “This is 2016 and it is very ironic that I had to leave a film like Dangal in the middle which is on women's empowerment and tackle this issue. I am very hurt and angered by the comments made by my director Suraj and I would definitely want him to apologise, not only to me but to all women in the industry.”

Soon, Nayanthara, another Tamil film star, came out in support. “I too have done my share of glamour in commercial films not because my director wanted to please that particular ‘low class’ of audience, but because it was my choice. No one has the right to think that heroines can be taken for granted,” she said. 

The latest to join them in attacking Suraj is south star and Hindi film actor Rana Daggubati, who also labelled the director as a ‘disgrace.’ “Just got to know about director Suraaj’s comments. Such a DISGRACE to have people like this work amongst us!!,” he said on his Twitter page.

Just got to know about director Suraaj's comments. Such a DISGRACE to have people like this work amongst us!! https://t.co/MkMaMcPk5I

— Rana Daggubati (@RanaDaggubati) December 27, 2016