Misogyny hits a new low
Kaththi Sandai director Suraaj’s sexist remarks on heroines in commercial films has received flak from all quarters
While talking about his latest offering, the Vishal-Tamannaah starrer Kaththi
Sandai, director Suraaj made some disgraceful remarks on the role of heroines in films.
With a smirk, during his interview to a Youtube channel, he said, “We (I) are all low class audiences. For me, in a film, the hero should fight hard, and the heroine should be glamorous.”
In response to the question about Tamannaah’s role and costumes in the film, he replied, “I don’t like heroines to be draped fully in a sari. Audiences pay to watch a film, and they come to see a glamorous Tamannaah. A heroine should do glamorous roles — and only those who have done so — made it big in the industry. If they want to hone their acting skills, they can resort to TV serials. When it comes to commercial films, they are paid to showcase their glamour.”
He didn’t stop with that. Suraaj also stated, “When the costume designer shows me a heroine’s dress covered until the knee, I am very particular that they shorten the length. Even if I am told the heroine could be upset, or uncomfortable about a particular outfit , I strictly insist that they do what I say.” DECCAN CHRONICLE — TAMANNAAH I am very hurt and angered by the comments made by my director Suraaj and I would want him to apologise to all the women in the industry. We are actors and are here to act and entertain and should not at any point be objectified as commodities
Kudos to Nayan for actually speaking up for a colleague. Would anyone say the same when they talk about their family? But one thing is for sure — he has said what a lot of people think, but don’t necessarily say out loud. Who the hell are you to make a girl wear short clothes? It’s our wish. We are here because we want to act. We are here because we love our work. There are a lot of jobs on this planet if making money is the only objective. It’s high time that we start respecting women and their choices.”
Ever since the interview went viral, the filmmaker has been at the receiving end for his blatantly sexist remarks. “Does he think we are strippers to shed our clothes just because we are paid money?” lashed out Nayanthara.
Soon after, Suraj apologised and clarified that it was apparently just a “joke”. “I was asked to give a humorous interview and I did just that. Hurting Tamannaah’s or any other woman’s sentiment was not my intention. I’m sorry. Tamannaah is a very good person and I hope she understands,” he said.
Emey, social activist and character artiste, who has also acted in Suraj’s
Thalainagaram, says, “The video was shocking. I condemn his words. How dare Suraj makes such cheap and atrocious comments on actresses? And that too on Tamannaah, who has acted in two of his films. We demand a public apology from Suraj, failing which we would stage a black flag protest in front of his house.”
Times are changing, the taste of the audience is changing and the way the audience is receiving films has evolved too. I don’t think heroines need to wear short clothes to attract the audiences because they accept sensible cinema too which doesn’t objectify women. It’s quite ridiculous to generalise both the audiences and the actresses in such a way.
— RITU VARMA, ACTRESS