Dubbing union demands 1.5 lakh rupees plus apology letter from Chinmayi for reinstatement

Singer, voice actor, and leading #MeToo campaigner, Chinmayi Sripaada has apparently been asked to pay 1.5 lakh rupees and tender an apology letter if she is to be reinstated into the Tamil Nadu Dubbing union.

The singer was previously ousted from the Tamil Nadu dubbing union on November 17 citing non-payment of ‘subscription fees’ for the past two years. This effectively meant that she could no longer dub in Tamil films (as dubbing union membership is compulsory to work in the industry).

In a dubbing union meeting that was held today, it was announced that Chinmayi could be reinstated into the union if she were to pay 1.5 lakh rupees, tender an apology letter and submit a re-application to be added as a member.

Chinmaya Sripaada, responding to this decision, tweeted that the union, which had already made lakhs from her income since 2006, is now demanding money again for her right to work. She further questioned the need for her to become a new member when big actors and directors are ‘Lifetime Members’ of the Dubbing Union after dubbing for perhaps one film or two. She also asked about the requirement for her to pay Rs 1.5 lakh, when the dubbing union by law says Rs 2,500 is the fee to become a new member.

Radharavi, President of the Tamil Nadu Dubbing Association, was not available for comment.

Chinmayi, who has been working as a voice-artist from 2006, has been at the forefront of India's MeToo movement, highlighting claims of sexual harassment in the Indian music and film industry. She had accused Vairamuthu of sexual harassment in a series of tweets, about a month ago. In addition, she had also highlighted claims made by other individuals against OS Thyagarajan, Raghu Dixit, Mandolin U Rajesh, playback singer Karthik, and several other Carnatic musicians.