Singer Chinmayi Sripaada has once again spoken openly about the casting couch culture in the film industry. She said sexual exploitation of women continues openly and remains widely accepted. According to her, many women lose work when they refuse what the industry often calls “full commitment,” a term she described as deeply disturbing.
Chinmayi explained that women from educated or professional backgrounds often misunderstand this word. They believe it refers to dedication and hard work. However, she said many men in power use it to demand sexual favours. These men continue to hold influence and feel entitled to women’s bodies in return for roles.
Harassment, Silence, and Repeat Offenders
Sharing painful examples, Chinmayi revealed that a female musician once faced an attempted sexual assault inside a studio. The woman locked herself inside a sound booth to stay safe. A senior industry member later intervened. After that incident, she completely stopped working in that space.
Chinmayi also criticised how the industry treats accused men. She alleged that a male singer misbehaved with women, sent explicit images, and demanded sexual acts. Despite this, he still receives public support. She said this proves how deeply the industry has normalised abuse.
She compared this culture with an earlier generation of cinema artists. Chinmayi said senior actors like Chiranjeevi worked in an era that valued mutual respect and clear boundaries. She added that many from that generation struggled to understand the MeToo movement.
Chinmayi strongly criticised senior figures who dismissed women who spoke out. She pointed out that many blamed the victims for speaking publicly. Some even claimed such disclosures damaged families instead of holding offenders accountable. She said this mindset silenced survivors and protected abusers.
The singer stressed that abuse has nothing to do with women’s choices or character. She shared her own experience of sexual abuse and made it clear that she never invited it. She said she was very young at the time and trusted the accused as a mentor. Her mother was nearby, yet the abuse still happened.
Chinmayi concluded that the real problem lies with men who believe women owe them sex for work. She said real change will come only when accountability replaces entitlement and silence stops protecting power.
Casting couch is rampant, women are refused roles if they don’t offer ‘full commitment’ – a word that means completely different in the film industry.
If you come from an English educated background and believe ‘commitment’ means ‘professionalism’, showing up to work and being…
— Chinmayi Sripaada (@Chinmayi) January 26, 2026
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