Sexual abuse is traumatic and devastating for all victims. It can have a profound and long-term impact on a victim’s life.
These incidents are horrifying violations at a physical, psychological and emotional level.
Victims can face further harm due to cultural expectations and barriers.
Within Indian, Pakistani, Punjabi, Bengali and Sri Lankan communities, ideas of shame, honour and respect for elders can force silence.
In 2018, the #MeToo movement sparked in India after the Bollywood actress Tanushree Dutta accused Nana Patekar of molesting her.
A tidal wave started as survivors began speaking out about the predatory behaviour they suffered.
Consequently, many South Indian stars bravely revealed their harrowing experiences of sexual assault and abuse.
These victims, therefore, become survivors.
Paying tribute to these resolute celebrities, Tezzbuzz looks at 10 South Indian actors who have faced sexual abuse.
shriya saran
Shriya Saran is a renowned South Indian actress known for her extensive work in Telugu and Tamil cinema.
Beginning her career with the Telugu Ishtam (2001), she has since dazzled and amazed with her performances.
In 2008, while Shriya was at the Tirumala temple, a fan allegedly molested as she was exiting the venue.
Shriya reportedly slapped the man for his inappropriate behaviour, and her entourage subsequently pinned him down.
Speaking about the incident, Shriya said:
“When I was coming out of the temple after my prayers, a man who was standing behind me misbehaved.
“I think women should stand up for such misbehaviour.”
Shriya’s experience highlights the dangers celebrities can face as public figures.
Bhavana
Born Karthika Menon, Bhavana made her film debut in the Malayalam Nammal (2002).
She has made a mark in Malayalam, Telugu, Kannada, and Tamil cinema.
In February 2017, Bhavana was kidnapped while returning home from a shoot and was sexually assaulted by a group of men.
The actor Dileep was subsequently arrested for the crime.
A new investigation against Dileep was initiated after a revealing interview with filmmaker Balachandra Kumar in December 2021.
The investigation examined allegations of his conspiracy to kill an investigating officer. Dileep’s trial is meant to conclude in the second half of 2024.
Bhavana opened up on the sexual abuse she faced:
“This has not been an easy journey – the journey from being a victim to becoming a survivor.
“For five years now, my name and my identity have been suppressed under the weight of the assault inflicted on me.
“To see justice prevail, to get wrongdoers punished and to ensure no one else goes through such an ordeal again, I shall continue this journey.”
Rahul Ramakrishna
The popular Telugu star Rahul Ramakrishna came to prominence with Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Arjun Reddy (2017).
In a series of tweets in 2020, the star revealed that someone raped him as a child.
“I was raped during childhood. I don’t know what else to say about my grief, except for this.
“Because this is what I seek to know about myself.
“I live with the crime perpetrated upon me. There is never justice.
“Only momentary relief. Teach your men to be nice. Be brave and break societal conditioning. Be nice.”
Rahul’s Arjun Reddy co-star, Priyadarshi Pulikonda, came out in support of the actor.
He stated: “I will never be able to understand the trauma you went through even if I try now.
“You have handled it to the best of your capacity. You are a fighter. Love you, brother!”
Victims of sexual abuse are often stereotypically gendered as female. Rahul’s experience reminds Desi communities that men and boys are also victims and survivors.
Sri Reddy
Sri Reddy is a famous face in the South Indian film industry.
She began her career with Nenu Nanna Abaddam (2011).
Sri has actively recounted experiences where she was subjected to the casting couch.
This alludes to the practice where actors are made to carry out sexual activities in return for work in the industry.
She has accused several film luminaries of abuse.
Sri participated in a topless protest regarding sexual abuse and exploitation in Tollywood.
At the time, the star declared: “I will make it a big issue at the national and international level if my demands are not met.”
The nude protest led the Movie Artistes Association (MAA) to ban the actress. However, Sri ultimately won, and the ban was lifted.
Furthermore, Sri’s actions led to the Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce (TFCC), forming the Committee Against Sexual Harassment (CASH).
Vichithra
The Tamil actress Vichithra shared that she quit show business following experiences of sexual harassment.
She was a key star of 90s South Indian cinema.
Following Iravu Padagan (2002), she embarked on a hiatus.
Delving into her experience of harassment and assault, Vichithra explained:
“[An actor] looked at me and the first thing he asked me was, ‘Are you acting in the film?’
“When I said yes, he replied, ‘Come to my room’.
Vichithra went on to state that she was touched inappropriately and slapped.
She gained no help or justice: “No one came to help me.
“Nothing happened. I didn’t know if I can continue to act. I was worried if my family can survive.
“Why this cinema field? Not even one guy turned up to help me.
“Maybe, everyone thought I deserved it because it is a normal thing in my life.”
Khushbu Sundar
Khushbu Sundar is an actress who predominantly appeared in Tamil cinema.
As a child, she starred as a young artist in Hindi blockbusters including Naseeb (1981), Laawaris (1981) and incomparable (1982).
In 2023, Khushbu revealed that she had been sexually abused by her father as a child.
She said: “I think when a child is abused, it scars the child for life and it’s not about a girl or a boy.
“My mother has been through the most abusive marriage.”
“A man who probably thought it was his birthright to beat up his wife, beat up his children, sexually abuse his only daughter.
“When my abuse started, I was just eight years old and I had the courage to speak against him when I was 15.
“One fear that stayed with me was my mom may not believe me because I had seen her in that environment.
“At 15, I thought that it was enough and I started revolting against him.
“I was not even 16 and he left us with whatever we had and we didn’t know where the next meal would come from.”
To recollect a traumatic childhood experience takes courage and unmatched strength. For that, Khushbu should be lauded.
Regina Cassandra
Regina Cassandra has carved an indelible mark for herself in Tamil and Telugu cinema.
She garnered critical acclaim for her roles in Rajathandhiram (2015) and Subramanyam for Sale (2014).
In 2018, Regina admitted that she was sexually abused by a group of men near Chennai Theatre.
Regina alleged that a man forcibly grabbed her under the pretence of taking a picture.
In a 2022 interviewRegina divulged her thoughts on sexual harassment:
“Things happen on a daily basis because you’re a girl.
“The moment you understand where their behaviour is coming from, it goes past what you are feeling.
“When we go through something, we take it upon ourselves to think, ‘Why does this have to happen to me?’
“You’re not special and not the chosen one. Whether it is a touch or a comment, it just so happens that you are there.
“For me, it’s about how you relate to the incident and that’s probably how I relate to it.”
Parvathy Thiruvothu
Parvathy Thiruvothu has successfully worked in Malayalam and Tamil cinema.
She debuted with Out of Syllabus (2006).
Her next film Notebook (2006) won her widespread acclaim.
In 2018, Parvathy Thiruvothu confessed that she had been a victim of sexual abuse in her childhood.
She revealed: “It happened to me when I was very young.
“It took me 17 years to realise it did happen to me. I was three or four years old. I didn’t ask for it.
“But I was assaulted. And then to speak about it, it took me another 12 years.”
“So, I sit here as a person first and then the rest of the tags come in.
“But you know where the survival part comes, it’s still a struggle for me on a daily basis to realise it, acknowledge it and get past it.
“It’s a daily affair. And then let my friends know, my parents cope with it.
“It becomes an extreme exercise on a daily basis.”
Varalaxmi Sarathkumar
Varalaxmi Sarathkumar is a dominant face in South Indian cinema.
She has appeared in a diverse array of Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam films.
In 2017, the actress delved into how she was sexually harassed by a television representative.
The revelations shocked many, as Varalaxmi belongs to a powerful celebrity family.
Her father, R Sarathkumar, is an actor turned politician with strong ties to the South Indian film industry.
She revealed how the man made unwanted advances towards her during a meeting.
Varalaxmi added that when she understood what was going on, she asked him to “get out”.
The star asserted: “I didn’t come to the industry to be treated like a piece of meat or to follow the standards of exploitation of women already practised.
“I love acting. It’s my profession of choice. I work hard and I am good at my work.
“I certainly do not want to choose either option of ‘put up with’ or ‘quit’.
“It may be a small incident that fortunately ended safely for me but it helps me to shed light on a very important topic.
“I will not stay silent and I urge all my sisters and friends to do the same. You are not alone.”
Yashika Anand
In the realm of fresh, young faces in Tamil films and television, few actresses glisten with as much charm as Yashika Aannand.
When the #MeToo wave spread in India, Yashika revealed that she had also been sexually abused.
Yashika’s experience involved the aforementioned casting couch.
Refusing to name the perpetrator, she said: “I do not wish to name him now because it was difficult for me to overcome the experience.
“I am now over it. He had asked me to wait outside while he spoke to my mother.
“He told her that if I wanted to do this role, I had to sleep with him.
“That’s when I wondered why people take advantage of their positions.
“Once, when someone assaulted me in public, I kicked him back.
“Another time, there was a police officer in my area who made me feel unsafe.”
“He was removed after I filed a complaint.
“Sexual harassment should be removed from the Tamil industry and all other industries.”
South Asian film industries and communities need to change.
The taboo of sexual abuse still looms large within the South Asian community.
Speaking out and raising awareness remains of paramount importance.
These South Indian stars should be applauded for being the survivors they are and for speaking out.
