Though this ought to have happened a long time ago, it looks like finally, sense dawned on Kollywood and some of the industry bodies that actor Radha Ravi is associated with. His despicable and abominable utterances have shocked and outraged the industry. DMK has suspended his party membership. Radha Ravi should know he cannot take his power and clout in the industry for granted any longer
BOMBAY TIMES (March 26, 2019)

It was the final straw that broke the camel’s back. The Tamil film industry, which failed to condone actor Radha Ravi for his crass speeches at most public events, finally chose to take exception to the actor’s boorish behaviour after he slut-shamed Nayanthara, an actress who is dubbed the Lady Superstar. From Vignesh ShivN, director and Nayanthara’s boyfriend, to Radikaa Sarathkumar, Radha Ravi’s stepsister, and The South Indian Artistes Association (popularly referred to as the Nadigar Sangam), the association for Kollywood actors, and DMK, the party to which the actor belongs to, have condemned the actor.

“You have been making misogynist remarks and speeches laden with double entendres for years in your interviews, on the stage and at film events… Why haven’t you realised that such action puts the industry, the artistes and the women working in it, to shame, and creates mental stress?” wrote actor Nasser, the president of the Nadigar Sangam. “All said and done, we hope you will avoid such crass speeches in the future. If not, the Nadigar Sangam will seriously consider about extending you any cooperation,” he added.

Meanwhile, actor Vishal, who is the president of Tamil Film Producers Council (TFPC) and the general secretary of the Nadigar Sangam, told us that TFPC will convene a meeting with the Sangam to figure out a course of action. “The TFPC can’t just ban a person; we need to take consensus of other members as well,” said Vishal, who is in Turkey shooting for his film, adding, “That said, I was shocked at the kind of derogatory remarks he made at the event, and even more so because people were clapping for him! And this is not the first time he’s done that. Coming from a film background and having been part of the industry for so many years, this was not expected of him. I just wrapped up a film with him; I wish I have the time now to not include him in it. I’ll make sure I don’t work with him in the future until he changes his behaviour.”

However, both the TFPC and Nadigar Sangam seem to be stopping short of doing the one thing that would have served as a lesson for Radha Ravi and others of his ilk — suspending him from the associations, and forcing him to resign from his post of the president of the South Indian Cine, Television Artistes and Dubbing Artistes Union, where he has already been accused of harassing women, and using his power to throttle those who question him. Even Kamal Haasan, one of the statesmen in the industry, chose to express being hurt over Radha Ravi’s comments, leaving it to others to condemn him. “She is a woman, and someone who belongs to our film industry. We have a responsibility to treat Nayanthara with dignity. When even an ordinary man is expected to do so, it is hurtful that he spoke this way despite being an artiste himself. I hope those who need to condemn this will condemn him,” he said.

When DMK, the political party which the actor belongs to, took cognisance of his remarks towards an actress, it is strange that these industry bodies — whose very role is to protect their members — and veterans have chosen to let the actor go with a mere warning, the equivalent to a slap on the wrists.

NAYANTHARA RESPONDS

I rarely issue public statements, as I have always allowed my professional work to speak for itself. However desperate times mandate desperate measures. Today, I am compelled to issue a detailed statement so as to clarify my own position and also to champion the cause of women who bear the brunt of male insensitivities and sexism.

First & foremost, it is my bounden duty to place on record my sincere thanks and deepest appreciation to the President of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam Thiru M K Stalin for swiftly taking action against misogynistic speeches of Thiru Radha Ravi. My sincere thanks to you sir.

At the outset, I would like to remind Mr Radha Ravi and the likes of misogynists like him that they were also given birth by a woman. By demeaning the status of women and passing sexist remarks, these retarded men get a feeling of machismo. I feel terribly sorry for the way they treat women in an opinionated way and my empathy remains with all the women who live in the families of these ‘macho’ men. As an actor of considerable seniority and work experience, Mr. Radha Ravi should have led the younger generation by example, instead he has chosen to take up the role of a misogynist ‘role model’. These are troubled times for women, as women are establishing themselves predominantly in every field of public life and asserting their due place in this era of meritocracy. When actors like Mr Radha Ravi fall out of business and become irrelevant, they tend to rely on cheap popularity tactics in order to grab some limelight.

What remains ghastly shocking about his male chauvinistic speeches are that he never ceases to get applause and laughs from some members of the audience. As long as the audience encourages sexist remarks, speakers like Mr Radha Ravi will continue to thrive on misogyny and cracking of denigrating jokes against women. I strongly urge well intentioned citizens and my beloved fans to deeply discourage the behaviour of the likes of Mr.Radha Ravi. Not withstanding the aforesaid advisory, through this statement I would like to strongly register my condemnafion and protest against the derogatory speeches made by Mr. Radha Ravi against women and children in general and me in specific.

God has been amply kind in giving me wonderful professional opportunities and the affectionate movie-goers of Tamil Nadu have amply rewarded me for my good performances. Irrespective of all negative remarks and aspersions cast upon me, I shall continue to take up the multifaceted roles of Sita, ghost, Goddess, friend, wife, lover, so on and so forth with the sole intention of providing maximum entertainment to my fans.

Lastly, my humble question to the South Indian Artistes’ Association (Nadigar Sangam): — Will you set up the Internal Complaints Committee as per the Hon’ble Supreme Court’s dictum and commence an internal inquiry as per Vishakha Guidelines???

Once again, thanking all the good hearts that have stood by me yet again supporting me through this little phase of negativity!

Now, Getting back to work!

With God’s Grace and your unconditional Love as always! — Nayanthara