Actor Lakshmi Manchu has taken a strong stance against a senior journalist who allegedly made body-shaming and ageist remarks during a recent interview. The journalist reportedly criticized Lakshmi’s clothing, implying that her choices were inappropriate for a woman in her 40s and a mother.
In response, Lakshmi filed a formal complaint with the Telangana Film Chamber of Commerce (TFCC), demanding accountability and respect. According to a report by Cinemaexpress, she issued a powerful statement condemning the incident. “India is a country that reveres women as Shakti, yet when we step into professional spaces, we are subjected to casual misogyny, humiliation, and disrespect. This cannot continue. I owe it not only to myself but to the many young women who look up to me to call this out.”
Lakshmi emphasized that while she accepts tough questions and public scrutiny as part of her profession, she draws the line at what she calls “cruelty masked as journalism.” She has requested a public apology from the journalist and urged the TFCC to take strict action to prevent such behavior in the future. “Respect is not optional. Accountability is not negotiable,” she declared.
Lakshmki Addressing Industry Bias Against Divorced Women
While promoting her latest thriller, Daksha: A Deadly Conspiracy, Lakshmi also brought attention to the deep-rooted bias against divorced women in the film industry. Speaking to Great Andhra, she highlighted how a well-known actor’s ex-wife has been unofficially blacklisted despite being willing to work.
“There is a superstar’s ex-wife who works here. She got divorced, and since then, even films that were once offered to her have been taken away. People say, ‘Oddu le amma, aina emana antaru emo’ (Let it go, dear. What if her ex says something?). She is waiting to do good work, and I don’t need to name her.”
Also Read: Lakshmi Manchu Blasts Reporter For Questioning Her Age, Dressing: ‘How Dare You’
When the interviewer hinted that she might be referring to Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Lakshmi neither confirmed nor denied it, stating, “You’re thinking it’s Samantha. But there’s not just one superstar; around five to six of them have been divorced. I’m close to all of them. If a man gets divorced, his life doesn’t change. But for a woman, once she marries, has children, takes on in-laws and responsibilities, no one gives us freedom. We have to take it ourselves.”
Lakshmi’s comments highlight the persistent double standards in the entertainment industry, where divorced women often face career setbacks while their male counterparts continue unaffected. Her willingness to speak out has resonated with many who see her as a strong voice for women’s rights in Indian cinema.
Currently, Lakshmi is promoting Daksha: A Deadly Conspiracy, a thriller that released on September 20. Her candid interviews and bold statements are not just drawing attention to the film, but also to the larger cultural and professional issues faced by women in the public eye.
