The controversy surrounding Telugu film Arjun Reddy refuses to die down, as women's associations in Vijayawada staged a protest on Thursday demanding that the movie's screening be stopped.
This comes a day after YSRCP leaders filed a complaint with the Vijayawada police.
Leaders of the National Federation of Indian Women (NFIW) along with the women's wing of the Congress party protested against the film, and complained that it was derogatory to women.
"In a bid to make profits, they have degraded women and portrayed them in a obscene way. Huge posters of lip locks on city buses and public places are disturbing. A few scenes in movie portrayed women as a dumb doll," Andhra Pradesh Congress Party Women's wing leader Sunkara Padma Sree was quoted as saying.
"We have seen the movie and found it objectionable. I would like to ask the producers and directors of the movie if they want to promote dating culture during college life among the students. Screening of the movie should be immediately stopped," NFIW state secretary P Durga Bhavani, told media persons.
A day earlier, YSRCP leaders addressed the media after filing a police complaint against the film, and said that certain scenes in the movie, would 'spoil' the youth.
Arjun Reddy, which is being directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga, stars Vijay Devarakonda and Shalini Pandey, and the story is set against the backdrop of a medical student’s life.
As part of the promotion, the makers have released posters which depict Shalini and Vijay kissing.
The movie and its poster have been controversial ever since their release, with several claiming that it was 'corrupting' the youth.
Last week, senior Congress leader and former MP V Hanumantha Rao had asked Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao to watch the movie and issue orders to stop its screening all over Telangana.
"The movie is giving a wrong message to the people. In this film, a girl becomes pregnant as a result of ragging. By watching this movie, there is a possibility that doctors working in hospitals may also start treating patients after consuming alcohol. I have already lodged complaints with the Censor Board and city police commissioner Mahender Reddy," the Congress leader said.
Responding to this, the actor took to Facebook, and said, “Thathayya, Chill,” (grandpa chill), much to everyone's amusement.
The movie has been produced by Pranay Reddy Vanga, and was awarded an ‘A’ certificate for its mature content. A dialogue was also muted by the CBFC.
Vijay Devarakonda’s previous film Pellichoopulu won a National Award and was also a commercial success.
Read what Hemanth Kumar CR, senior film critic, had to say about the movie below.