83 Actor Jiiva, Hounded With MeToo Questions, Leaves Press Meet Midway: No Issues In Tamil Cinema

#MeToo Spills Over: The aftereffects of the Hema Committee report are rampant in all regional film industries. After the 235-page report detailing the systematic harassment faced by women in Mollywood came to light jolting the film industry. Following the findings, the Women in Collective Cinema demanded that the Telangana government release a similar report for the Telugu film industry. Amid this, Tamil actor Jiiva was asked if the same issues are about Kollywood as well. Not only did the actor outrightly deny the issues happening in Tamil cinema, but he also lost his cool with the media and stormed off the event.

Jiiva reacts to Hema Committee Report

Jiiva, who was also seen in Ranveer Singh starrer 83, attended a private event in Tamil Nadu on September 1. At the event, the actor was asked about the Hema Committee Report to which he simply replied, “I heard about it too. It’s wrong.” He also argued that the accusers must be punished. He added, “We had #MeToo part 1 and now part 2 has come. Now, people are openly naming them [abusers]. It’s wrong. We should have a healthy atmosphere in cinema.”

However, the actor refused to address the issue further and shared that the event is positive and so they must focus on ‘good things’. He shared, “We’ve come here for a good event, so let’s say good things. I’ve come to Theni after a long time. I’m coming here after shooting for a movie called Thenavattu. A lot of things are happening in a lot of industries. Your job is to gather news. Our job is to maintain a good atmosphere. As actors, we bring a smile to many people’s faces, and we have come here for that reason."

Actor Jiiva dismisses #Metoo instances in Tollywood 

Speaking at the same event, the actor was also asked to address if the problems of sexual abuse and assault go beyond just Malayalam cinema. To this, the actor dismissed all such claims and shared that there are no issues within Tamil cinema and all problems are confined to Mollywood. Saying this the actor stormed off the event, as reported by OnManorama.

However, the actor's reaction did not sit well with singer Chinmayi Sripaada who has time and again pointed out at the problems in Tamil cinema. She took to her X (formerly Twitter) to share a video of Jiiva and wrote, “I really do not understand how they are saying sexual harassment does not exist in Tamil Industry. HOW?!”