On Saturday, we reported about Chinmayi Sripaada hitting out at Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan for their appreciation of poet-lyricist Vairamuthu after he was conferred with the Jnanpith Award. For context, it was the singer who first made #MeToo accusations the poet-lyricist-novelist in 2018. Her criticism of the decision to confer him with the aforementioned award is part of a collective voice that is being raised from within the entertainment industry against it.
Meanwhile, Chinmayi has reiterated her stance against the two icons of Tamil cinema. An internet user sarcastically accused Chinmayi of making unnecessary noise about Rajinikanth praising Vairamuthu. In response, the singer wrote, "Sri Rajinikanth and Sri Kamal Haasan - are powerful men in the Industry, legends who are saying 17 Women speaking up about sexual harassment, one of whom got banned in front of their eyes and they did NOTHING with all their power, makes no difference."
She further talked about how Rajinikanth and Kamal's association with Vairamuthu, despite the high number of sexual harassment accusations against him, goes against their political stance about women's safety. Referring to the lack of Internal Complaints Committees in cinema, she wrote, "These are men who have transitioned to politics and give speeches about Women’s safety while colluding with a molester WITHOUT PUTTING safeguards of ICCs in their own industry FIRST! Which part of this is not making sense to you?"
Chinmayi Sripaada noted, "Since 2019 A R Rahman Sir’s KM Conservatory and Studio is the ONLY place with a functional ICC." Notably, the singer still has a 'shadow ban' for dubbing in Tamil cinema, which she has alleged multiple times is for her speaking out against the poet-lyricist in the last decade. On Saturday, she said that some of the other women who made the accusations against him "weren't as lucky" as she was. Referring to one of them earlier this Sunday, she wrote, "A woman called out sexual harassment from the Dubbing Union - She was banned from working. She got justice after 5 years. How do these legends in the industry not understand?!"
She further added, "Actress Vichitra spoke about sexual abuse and ban and how she got no justice AFTER going to the police - in a show HE hosted - what has anybody with power in all the Unions done for redressal? All the kids in these Singing shows on TV! Where are the POCSO Units?!"
