Hyderabad, December 24, 2025 — Telugu actor Sivaji has landed in the middle of a major controversy after making remarks about women’s clothing at a public event, triggering sharp reactions from actors, activists, and social media users across the country.
The issue began during the pre-release event of Sivaji’s film Dhandoraa held in Hyderabad. While addressing the gathering, Sivaji spoke about how women, particularly actresses, should dress in public. He suggested that wearing “revealing outfits” affects how women are perceived and implied that opting for traditional attire would earn more respect. His comments were widely criticised as regressive, patronising, and an attempt at moral policing.
Strong Public Backlash
The actor’s remarks quickly went viral, prompting a wave of criticism from the film industry and the public. Many accused Sivaji of reinforcing patriarchal ideas and shifting responsibility onto women instead of addressing inappropriate behaviour by men.
Prominent voices from the Telugu industry responded strongly. Actress Anasuya Bharadwaj took to social media to condemn the comments, stating that instead of telling women how to dress, society should focus on teaching men to behave responsibly. She emphasised that admiration should come with respect and distance, not entitlement or harassment.
Playback singer and activist Chinmayi Sripaada also criticised Sivaji’s language and mindset, calling out the normalisation of victim-blaming narratives. Several other celebrities, filmmakers, and commentators echoed similar sentiments, stressing that women’s clothing choices should never be used to justify misconduct.
Sivaji Issues Apology
Following the backlash, Sivaji released a public apology video, admitting that he used “unparliamentary” and inappropriate words during his speech. He clarified that he did not intend to insult women or demean anyone and expressed regret over the language he used.
However, Sivaji also stated that he stood by the intent of his remarks, claiming his comments were driven by concerns for women’s safety rather than moral judgement. This stance drew further criticism, with many arguing that safety discussions should not translate into controlling women’s choices.
Reference to Lulu Mall Incident
In subsequent interviews, Sivaji explained that his comments were influenced by a recent incident at Lulu Mall in Hyderabad, where actress Nidhhi Agerwal was reportedly mobbed by a crowd during a promotional appearance. Videos from the incident showed the actress visibly distressed as security struggled to manage the situation.
Critics, however, pointed out that using this incident to justify remarks on women’s attire amounted to victim-blaming. Actress Nidhhi Agerwal later reacted indirectly, cautioning against narratives that place responsibility on women instead of addressing crowd behaviour and security lapses.
Women’s Commission Steps In
The controversy escalated further when the Telangana State Commission for Women took suo motu cognisance of Sivaji’s remarks. The Commission issued a notice summoning the actor for an enquiry, underscoring the seriousness with which such public statements are viewed.
Officials from the Commission stated that public figures must exercise responsibility in their language, especially when discussing sensitive issues related to gender, safety, and dignity.
Social Media Debate Continues
The incident has sparked an intense debate on social media. While a small section argued that Sivaji’s comments were poorly worded but stemmed from concern, a much larger section criticised them as outdated and harmful. Many users highlighted that real safety lies in accountability, law enforcement, and societal change, not restrictions on women.
Hashtags related to women’s safety, victim-blaming, and moral policing trended across platforms, reflecting the broader national conversation on gender respect and public conduct.
