A video has been doing the rounds of actor Lakshmi Manchu pushing a man who interrupts her interview on the red carpet of the recently held South Indian International Movie Awards (SIIMA) in Abu Dhabi. In the same clip, she can be heard saying to another passer-by, “Go behind the camera dude. Basic.”

The actor, who was in Delhi recently to witness the passing of the Women’s Reservation Bill in the new Parliament, tells us: “That person knew very well that I was on a red carpet. It was not some random person taking a video. But he was so nonchalant and just walked through the camera. Never do that with any artiste. I smacked him because he deserved it.”

The 45-year-old says the host did ask the cameraperson not to record this bit. “I asked her to keep it. I can protect myself. I don’t care if it gets out,” says the Monster (2022) actor, daughter of veteran actor-producer Mohan Babu.

She acknowledges that everyone may not understand or agree with her actions. “I am not here to prove myself. I’m just here to live my life unapologetically,” Manchu signs off.