Varalaxmi Sarathkumar, who was last seen in Tamil in Neeya 2, has revealed in a recent televised interview that she has experienced sexual harassment in the Tamil film industry. Admitting the existence of casting couch in Kollywood, the Sarkar actor alleged that she has been at the receiving end of several such solicitations from producers 

Varu has added that people had had the courage to ask her sexual favours, despite her family background and her father Sarathkumar's stature as a hero and politician.  She also attributed her refusal to comply with such requests for the delay in starting her career. 

Varalaxmi also asked women to say a strong 'no' and walk out rather than giving in to casting couch and then complaining about it.  She also said that she, however, doesn't judge those who had taken that route for the sake of their career, as "taking such a decision requires a lot of mental strength". She added that the next best option is to wait like her for the right moment, and prove your talent, when an opportunity comes knocking. 

Notably, Varalaxmi was one of the very few from the Tamil film industry, who had voiced her support for the #MeToo movement, that happened last year.