📌 Key Points
- Veteran director Raghavendra Rao sparked controversy at Anil Ravipudi’s film launch.
- He was seen grabbing the arms of actresses Keerthy Suresh and Krithi Shetty while directing a shot.
- The incident led to widespread outrage on social media, with users questioning his conduct.
- Critics highlighted past similar incidents involving the filmmaker, demanding accountability.
Veteran filmmaker Raghavendra Rao is under scrutiny after allegedly grabbing the arms of actresses Keerthy Suresh and Krithi Shetty at a recent movie launch. The incident, intended as a directorial gesture for the first shot, has ignited widespread outrage and debate on social media regarding consent and professional conduct.
Controversial Moment at Anil Ravipudi’s Film Launch
Veteran filmmaker Raghavendra Rao was invited to direct the first scene for Anil Ravipudi’s film but it left a bad taste in everyone’s mouths.
Filmmaker Raghavendra Rao attended the movie launch of Anil Ravipudi’s next film with Venkatesh, Kalyanram Nandamuri, Keerthy Suresh and Krithi Shetty. The 84-year-old veteran was invited to direct the film’s first shot. A moment in which he grabbed the female actors’ arms to direct them has drawn flak on social media.
Social Media Erupts: ‘Why Does He Touch?’
Anil later posted pictures of the launch on social media, writing, “Nothing gives me greater joy than entertaining audiences in theatres. With immense happiness, gratitude, and a sense of responsibility, we begin the journey of #VenkyAnil5 – #NKRAR2 today. Heartfelt thanks to all our honourable guests for gracing the ceremony and making it even more special.”
The moment, however, invited trolls with many questioning why Raghavendra had to touch them. “endi ra ee musalodu, pratisari touch cheyanike chustaduu (Why does this old man always try to touch?),” criticised one X (formerly Twitter) user posting the video, while another agreed, “Who is this old idiot? Who gave him the right to touch women without their consent?” One X user slammed him, writing, “Why does he touch women like that? He could do the same scene without touching them. Creepy Raghavendra Rao.”
Past Incidents and Calls for Accountability
“Raghavendra Rao garu, what exactly is this behaviour? This isn’t the first time such visuals have gone viral. After the backlash over the Niharika video, one would expect that you had learned how to behave, Yet here we are again, having the same conversation,” wrote one person, pointing out the filmmaker was also slammed for touching Niharika Konidela once. “How does #RaghavendraRao B.A. get away with all the things he does with heroines? Those days, it was understandable because there was no social media, but even today, he seems to escape criticism,” wrote another.
The recurring nature of such incidents involving Raghavendra Rao has fueled public anger, prompting renewed calls for accountability and a re-evaluation of conduct standards within the film industry. The controversy continues to spark important conversations about respect and consent.
