Chinmayi Asked to Pay Rs 1.5 Lakh and Apologise to Dubbing Union

The #metoo battle is far from over.

The battle is far from over for singer Chinmayi, who was recently expelled from the South Indian Cine Television Artist and Dubbing Union (SICTADU) for ostensibly failing to pay her membership fees. She had earlier accused veteran actor and union head Radha Ravi and Tamil lyricist Vairamuthu of sexual misconduct. The union, following a Dubbing Coordinators meet on 28 December, has now asked her to pay Rs 1.5 lakh and submit an apology note to obtain a new membership.

Chinmayi shared the news in a series of tweets and said that the Dubbing Union mandates an amount of Rs 2,500 for a membership, whereas she has been asked to pay Rs 1.5 lakh.

Apparently I have to pay 1.5 Lakhs, send an apology letter and THEN the dubbing Union will reinstate me and let me work in Tamilnadu in Tamil films.
The Union has made lakhs from my Income since 2006. And I have to pay 1.5 lakhs again for my right to work. https://t.co/JHt6ajU1D3

— Chinmayi Sripaada (@Chinmayi) December 28, 2018

With all due respect very big actors and directors are ‘Lifetime Members’ of the Dubbing Union after dubbing perhaps one film or two on a friendly basis. I have been working since 2006 and I have to become a ‘New Member’ :)

— Chinmayi Sripaada (@Chinmayi) December 28, 2018

And I wonder why exactly I m being forced to *apologise* to the Dubbing Union and to Mr Radha Ravi?
The Dubbing Union By Law says 2,500/- is the fee to become a new member. What is this random 1.5 Lakh fee + apology?

— Chinmayi Sripaada (@Chinmayi) December 28, 2018

Members of the Dubbing Union even said at the press meet that the singer should “quit the industry and go work as a housemaid”.

And the greatest take away from the Dubbing Union’ Press Meet - IF you complain of sexual harassment, quit the industry and go work as a housemaid (in precisely 10 houses)Other dubbing union female members vigorously applaud.
The Message? “Stay silent, or else.” pic.twitter.com/QmShBmJdVG

— Chinmayi Sripaada (@Chinmayi) December 28, 2018

Last month, Chinmayi posted a video on her YouTube page clarifying that she had, in fact, paid a lifetime membership fee of Rs 5,000, over and above the prescribed amount.