Actor Regena Cassandrra rebuked at the comments made my Radhika Apte, on the latter's experience working in a Telugu film. She was speaking in an interview with India Today, for her upcoming film, Mookuthi Amman 2, which is set to open on November 6.
The actor started by addressing Janhvi Kapoor's comments, regarding her experience on Peddi, on the Koffee with Karan show. Regena said, "Janhvi Kapoor has spoken on a Karan Johar show saying, 'They have objectified me. I don't have a voice to say it, or got a chance to say it. I couldn't say no.' The same Karan Johar in a Dharma Productions movie, that I have done, called Kesari 2, has decided not to promote me in the film. Now, what am I supposed to call that? Objectifying what? That I'm a South Indian?" When the interviewer asks if Regena received a reason for not being promoted, the actor said that she did not get one."
"Till date, I do not even know why. Why was my name not credited?," said Regena, who added, "They posted a song on Instagram, and I am the only one on that song, from start to end, but I wasn't even tagged. So what are you trying to say? Who are you standing up for?" When the interviewer intejected and said that this situation was very strang, Regena agreed with the comment and reiterated that Dharma Productions had not given a clear reason as to why she was not included in the promotions. "I don't like talking about these things and making a big deal about it. But because today you are talking about it and bringing up names, that sort of, create a very bad this thing for me, I am talking with you about them."
She added, "But these are not things that I like to bring about. But that's the problem. When a Radhika Apte and a Janhvi Kapoor, who happen to be doing a lot of Bollywood (projects), come and talk about these things, I understand. But they are not the only women, who have acted with older men, first of all. Balakrishna garu who has been doing so many films... whether you like a film or don't, you have every right to go say, 'I don't want to do it,' and walk out of the film. Create news about walking out of the film. That would be better for you to do, than sit and talk about it. And I understand, (that) maybe you were pushed in a place where you couldn't do it. I totally get it. But you are not being raped. I'm sorry, but you are not being put in a position where you're totally... this thing. Today there are, legal ways of handling things. Yes, please come out and talk about it, but do not make the North-South divide. It's very very bad for the industry. And for South Indian actors like me its even worse. Because I already have a stigma when I go to the North. I'm not given that much importance, because I am a so-called South Indian actress."
She added, "So when these issues arise, there is a way to handle it and there is a place to bring up these conversations. I understand that Janhvi Kapoor is sitting in a comfort zone today, and is able to bring out these conversations. And that's what we want to create for women today. A comfortable space where everyone can speak about this. But who is going to ask me about Dharma Productions and not promoting me through the film at all?" The actor also mentioned that she played a very prominent role in the film, while no promotion had been done at all.
While Radhika Apte did not mention the Telugu film or the name of the actor, with whom she worked with, social media users have understood, with her description, that it is the Nandamuri Balakrishna led Legend (2014).
