Sivaji faces ire from people for his comments

Sivaji who is playing an important role in the upcoming film Dhandoraa while promoting the film made controversial comments over the dressing of heroines.

He said “I want to advise heroines not to wear whatever they feel like when going out, because you will bear the consequences of it.”

He continued “Em anukovoddu amma heroines andaru. Miru anukunna naku poyedi em le, laagi peekutamu manam. Adi vere vishyam. (Don’t mind me saying this, heroines. Even if you mind, I don’t care because I’ll slap back).”

He added “Saamaanu kanabade dantlo em undadu amma (Clothes that show your assets don’t do anything),” and said “Whenever you wear revealing clothes, people will smile. But they’ll think you’re a wretched woman. And if they say it out loud, you’ll bring up freedom for women,” he said, adding, “There should be a limit to glamour. Your freedom is a privilege, don’t lose it.”

Singer Chinmayi Sripada and Manchu Manoj reacted furiously along with other netizens.

Chinmayi Sripada

"He played a villain in a fantastic film (read Court) and ended up becoming the hero for incel (involuntary celibates) boys. He himself wears Jeans and Hoodie. He should wear only Dhotis and follow Indian culture. Wear bottu and if he is married wear the Kankanam and Mettelu to signify he is married. Unbelievable how women are treated here," "And like clockwork incels ranting in support of the male actor’s comments. I really don't understand how girls are safe here."

Manchu Manoj

“This kind of statement is deeply disappointing. Policing women’s clothing or placing moral responsibility on them is outdated and unacceptable. Respect and accountability should start with individual behaviour, not by shaming women for how they dress. Public figures must speak responsibly, especially when their words influence society,”

 “Ee nakka inka inka worstu ga avthunaadu, could none of them standing behind him stop him ffs??? (This fox keeps getting worse by the day. Could none of them standing there stop him?)” questioned an X (formerly Twitter) user. One opined, “A suo motu case should be initiated against Sivaji by the Women’s Commission for making such a derogatory remark on a public platform.”

“Calling women's bodies as "samanlu" on a public platform and everybody clapping, endo.. Andaru aadollaki valla battalu gurinchi vollu gurinchi cheppetode (Everyone feels entitled to talk about women's bodies and clothing),” wrote another frustrated X user. Referring to a famous dialogue from Rajinikanth’s 2005 film Chandramukhi, one person wrote, “Sivaji Mangapathi Character esaadu. Sivaji Mangapathi la Matladadu. #Sivaji Mangapathi La Maaradu. Sivaji Ne Mangapathi (Sivaji played Mangapathi; he spoke like him and changed like him. He is Mangapathi).”