One of India’s Trumps-without-a-Twitter-account, Radha Ravi, pretty much has no moral compass, no concept of right and wrong. The has-been actor from a famous film industry family, who slut shamed Lady Superstar Nayanthara, who is at the top of her game, on Saturday, has openly declared that he will not apologise. Because he has done “nothing wrong”, he says. He further condescended, saying if Nayanthara and her partner Vignesh Shivn wanted, they could come to his place and he would express regret because they felt bad. Or he’d be willing to meet them in their homes if they called him there.
“Media should never say no (to opinions). Views should come out,” Radha Ravi said, speaking to Puthiya Thalaimurai on Monday. Almost making it seem like the media has nothing better to do than create a controversy around him, he said, “The press people who were there that day fully appreciated me. They said I spoke well! If I had said anything wrong, they would have condemned me right there. But they didn’t condemn me there, because I said nothing wrong.”
When asked about the condemnation from other actors, Radha Ravi said, “That’s ok, they thought it was wrong so they condemned it. But I will – only to Nayanthara and, what’s his name? Vijay? Vignesh something… May be I will express regret to them. Because I’m definitely upset that they said this has affected them. They belong to my industry. So whatever it is… Whether they come to me directly and say it. Or if they want to come to my house. Or if they want me to come to their house. I wouldn’t hesitate. Because only if I am guilty should I feel the hesitation.”
Radha Ravi had on Saturday spoken at a stage for the trailer release function of Nayanthara’s upcoming film, Kolaiyudhir Kaalam, and said, “Nayanthara acts as a ghost, and then she goes on to act as Sita as well. She acts as Sita! Earlier, to play the role of a goddess, they would look for [someone like] KR Vijaya. Now, anyone can be cast to play a goddess. They can cast someone who you want to pray to when you look at them, they can also cast someone you want to call towards you when you see them!”, making a sexually charged comment to slut shame the top actor.
Following anger over Radha Ravi’s remarks, he was sent a notice by the Nadigar Sangam and was also temporarily suspended by the DMK.
“I don’t know why they did it, but if it is true, I will move out of my own accord,” Radha Ravi told Puthiya Thalaimurai. “I think it is their conjecture that this episode might affect their election campaign. I’m not sure when they are planning on asking me for an explanation. See, I don’t think this is a big issue,” he laughed, “but if a party is removing me then I think there might be some issues for them. That is why I have offered to remove myself.”
Actor Radha Ravi, son of popular yesteryear actor and politician MR Radha, has a reputation in the industry for his regressive and misogynistic comments. The actor has faced ire from some in the industry and many from the pubic for his blunt, offensive statements, most of them aimed at women actors, at several instances.
In an interview a year before, he said, “An artiste asked a woman – Radha Ravi called you to his office, didn’t he? He said he’s calling you for a movie and called you home didn’t he? There is nothing wrong with Radha Ravi calling women to his office. There’s nothing wrong if a man calls women to his office. There is something wrong if a man calls men to his office.”
Following his crass remarks against Lady Superstar Nayanthara, several from the industry have criticised him strongly.
Singer Chinmayi, who was removed from the Dubbing Union that’s headed by Radha Ravi, after she accused lyricist Vairamuthu of sexual harassment, called out the Tamil film industry for giving Radha Ravi a free pass.
Just a reminder that this Radha Ravi banned me from the dubbing union.
— Chinmayi Sripaada (@Chinmayi) March 24, 2019
I haven’t recorded one Tamil song since October 2018.
So much is the loyalty for Vairamuthu and Radha Ravi. Or is it because or their political affiliations?
Celebrate the molesters and ban the women.
Actor Rohini, who had previously held a position at Dubbing union where Radha Ravi is currently President, tweeted, “If the Dubbing artists union committee members stood by me when I raised my voice against Radha Ravi for talking ill of women, there would have been some respect for the committee. Instead he removed me from the committee”
If the Dubbing artists union committee members stood by me when I raised my voice against Radha Ravi for talking ill of women, there would have been some respect for the committee.
— Rohini Molleti (@Rohinimolleti) March 25, 2019
Instead he removed me from the committee
Music Director Govind Vasantha too tweeted that Radha Ravi’s comments should not be taken lightly.
Saw a post saying Radha Ravi is a joke. Oh please don't take it light. He ain't a joke. "HE IS VENOM"!!
— Govind Vasantha (@govind_vasantha) March 25, 2019
Following Vignesh Shivn's tweet that expresses his disbelief and anger towards the statements made by Radha Ravi, actor Radikaa Sarathkumar, Radha Ravi sister, immediately tweeted her reaction.
Nayanthara is one of the few dedicated actors we hav today, have the pleasure knowing her and sharing professional space with her, she is above all this, did not watch full video , but met Ravi today and told him it was not in good taste at all. https://t.co/zTUVSa4fWC
— Radikaa Sarathkumar (@realradikaa) March 24, 2019