Controversy broke out in Tollywood
Mumbai: A big controversy has arisen in Tollywood recently. Famous Telugu actor Sivaji made some controversial comments on the clothes of women and especially actresses at the pre-release event of his upcoming film ‘Dhandora’, which quickly went viral on social media. People called it an insult to women and moral policing. Now Shivaji has apologized through a video message.
Shivaji’s controversial remarks
54-year-old Shivaji has recently come into limelight again in web series and films. ‘Dhandora’ is his new film, which is going to be released on 25th December. While giving a speech at the pre-release event held in Hyderabad on 22 December, Shivaji praised the anchor’s saree and requested the actresses not to wear revealing clothes. She said, “All heroines are requested not to wear body revealing clothes. Wear saree or completely covering clothes. Real beauty lies in saree and not in showing body parts.”
Apology for comment on women’s attire
Shivaji further said that people do not say anything externally because it is their freedom, but internally they do not like it. He compared women to nature and mother, but his words ‘Samanlu Kanpade’ (similar looking) were found objectionable. As soon as the video went viral on social media, there was an uproar. People are calling him conservative and insulting to women.
I sincerely apologize for my words during the Dhandoraa pre-release event last night.@itsmaatelugu pic.twitter.com/8zDPaClqWT
— Sivaji (@ActorSivaji) December 23, 2025
As the controversy escalated, many celebrities also criticized Shivaji. Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma attacked him by calling him ‘dirty’. Singer Chinmayi Sripada wrote on social media that this is misbehavior with women and Shivaji himself should show culture by wearing dhoti. Actor Manchu Manoj apologized on behalf of all the senior actors and said that such statements are disappointing. Actresses Anasuya and Navdeep also termed the comments as wrong.
Response of women’s organizations
Women’s organizations also demanded an unconditional apology from Shivaji. Finally, today Shivaji released a video in which he said, “I sincerely apologize for my words at the ‘Dhandora’ event last night. My intention was good, but the choice of words went wrong. I consider women as goddesses and had no intention of hurting anyone. Sorry if the words were inappropriate.” Even after this apology of Shivaji, the debate continues on social media. Some people are saying that apology is not enough, there should be a change in thinking.
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