EXCLUSIVE: Sri Reddy Claims Telangana Govt Unofficially Restricted Media From Covering ‘Casting Couch’

South Indian Actress Sri Reddy recently made headlines after she exposed big names from the Kollywood and Tollywood industry involved in casting couch on her Facebook page. She revealed names from the industry including celebrated names like Pawan Kalyan, Raghav Lawrence, Srikanth and director AR Murugadoss. She claims that the accused have misbehaved with her with promises of casting her in their film. 

In an exclusive interview with Republic World, the actress spoke about her fight against the casting couch and the response from the legal system. Sri Reddy said that she had filed multiple complaints against the accused, but no action was taken from their side. “Despite an FIR being lodged, the police has not made a single arrest.”

Talking about her battle, she said, “My case was taken up by NHRC (National Human Rights Commission) and I was hopeful. But unfortunately, I have not heard from them ever since.”

The 34-year-old Sri Reddy, who has fought against the casting couch since the past four months has allegedly been receiving threats and abuses from fans of the stars whom she has accused on Facebook.

“The Telangana Government has unofficially asked the media to not cover the case on the casting couch. Telangana government talks about development and they collect crores in taxes but do not take responsibility. We (victims of sexual harassment in general)  are in a helpless crying situation and the government is not talking about this.”

READ I  Sri Reddy Exposes Big Names From Kollywood In Casting Couch With #TamilLeaks

Reflection on the neglect of the State Government, the actress said in all these months, the Government has not even considered setting up the CASH(Committee Against Sexual Harassment)  Committee. “Lots of people tell me that the State Government have taken money from Tollywood stars to cover up the entire matter”

An actress who has been active in the industry for five years said that she wants her life to be an example of how it should NOT be. She wants her life to be an example for those women and girls who wish to make a career in the film industry. For this to stand true, she said she is even willing to go to Delhi court and protest for justice.

READ I EXCLUSIVE: ‘Begging From My Friends For Survival’, Claims Sri Reddy

“The government is my father, he has to protect me and do justice. If the father is misbehaving and does not help, I don’t know where to go, where to live or how to express myself. Girls cannot express this kind of thing in front of the media or in front of the public. But people have to be proud that I am coming out in the open and talking about the casting couch and still these people are not taking care of it, what a shame it is on the part of  Telangana Government,” she said exasperatedly.

Referring to the ban on film critic Kathi Mahesh by the Telangana Government, Sri Reddy fears that she too might get banned by the Government for raising her voice. “Kathi Mahesh’s matter might be different, but if the Government behaves like a hitler it can ban me.How can they do this to me? I am a small girl, I am not a big-wig. But I deserve justice and respect,” she said.

Sri Reddy also said that she will be exposing more names in the course of time.