DMK Suspends Partyman Radha Ravi After He Slut Shames Nayanthara

Vignesh Shivan, Nayanthara’s partner, had tweeted to DMK President MK Stalin calling for stringent action.

Actor and DMK leader Radha Ravi.

(Photo Courtesy: The News Minute)

A day after his vile and sexist remarks at the trailer launch of Nayanthara's latest film kicked up a storm, the DMK has suspended actor and partyman Radha Ravi. A statement issued by DMK General Secretary K Anbazhagan on Sunday, 24 March, said that the actor was being suspended from primary membership of the party.

“Actor Radha Ravi is being temporarily suspended from primary membership of the party and all party posts for breaching party discipline and acting in a manner that brings disrepute to the party,” said the statement.

Speaking at the trailer launch of Nayanthara's latest film Kolaiyuthir Kaalam on Saturday, 23 March, Radha Ravi slut-shamed the Lady Superstar, making sexually charged remarks.

“Nayanthara acts as a ghost, and then she goes on to act as Sita as well. She acts as Sita! Earlier, to play the role of a goddess, they would look for [someone like] KR Vijaya. Now, anyone can be cast to play a goddess. They can cast someone who you want to pray to when you look at them, they can also cast someone you want to call towards you when you see them!”

Radha Ravi (This is a translation)

Not stopping at slut-shaming an actor at the launch of her own film's trailer, the serial misogynist went on to make vile remarks about the Pollachi sexual assault and extortion racket that had shocked Tamil Nadu in recent weeks.

“What is the difference between a big film and a small film? If you rape one girl at once, it is a small film. If you rape 40 people at once, like in Pollachi, it is a big film,” he had said.

Sixty-six-year-old Radha Ravi is the son of yesteryear actor and politician MR Radha. Hailing from an influential family, the actor has been part of both major Dravidian parties in the state. He had served as chief of the Nadigar Sangam too. Despite allegations of systemic mismanagement, Radha Ravi also continues to head the Dubbing Union, the central body for voice and dubbing artistes in the Tamil film industry. Notably, he was named for sexual misconduct in the MeToo movement.

The speech went viral on Sunday, 24 March, prompting a strong reaction from Nayanthara's partner and director Vignesh Shivan. In a tweet tagging DMK President MK Stalin and Rajya Sabha MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, he wrote, "both respected leaders have voiced vociferously against Pollachi Sexual Harassment case. Please, Why don’t you take stringent action against male chauvinist, crass sexist & bully Mr.Radha Ravi? Kindly acknowledge and take action"(sic).

Urge Citizens to Discourage the Behaviour of Likes of Ravi: Nayanthara

Responding to DMK member and actor Radha Ravi’s vile and sexist remarks, actor Nayanthara urged her fans and citizens to discourage the behaviour of people like Radha Ravi.

“Speakers like Mr Radha Ravi will continue to thrive on misogyny and cracking of denigrating jokes against women. I strongly urge well intentioned citizens and my beloved fans to deeply discourage the behaviour of the likes of Mr Radha Ravi.”

She also added that despite all the negative remarks, she will continue to play multifaceted roles.

(The article has been updated to reflect Nayanthara’s statement. Published in an arrangement with The News Minute.)