Actor Divyabharathi has levelled serious allegations against filmmaker Naresh Kuppili, accusing him of misogynistic behaviour during the making of the Telugu film GOAT. Her detailed post on Wednesday reignited discussions on sexism and workplace conduct in the film industry.
Divyabharathi says director used derogatory slang
Sharing a screenshot online, Divyabharathi alleged that Kuppili referred to her as “chilaka”—a term that may translate to “bird” but is commonly used as a disrespectful slang for women in Telugu. She added that the director had remarked she was fit only for “second lead” roles.
Calling out what she described as entrenched sexism, she wrote on X, “Calling women ‘chilaka’ or any other term isn’t a harmless joke — it’s deep-rooted misogyny.” She added that this behaviour was not an isolated incident but part of a recurring pattern on set.
Disappointment over co-star’s silence
The actor also questioned why her co-star Sudigali Sudheer did not intervene when the remarks were made. “What disappointed me most was seeing the hero stay silent, allowing this culture to survive one more day,” she said, adding that she now prioritises workspaces where “respect is non-negotiable”.
Support, criticism and clarification
Her statement drew widespread reactions online, with many extending support while others accused her of frequently getting into conflicts. Responding to such claims, Divyabharathi clarified that she had worked with the same teams in Tamil cinema without any issues.
“Only this one director crossed lines and made disrespectful comments,” she said in a follow-up post. She emphasised that the matter was not about a single remark but about a pattern of behaviour that made her uncomfortable. The episode, she noted, highlighted the urgent need for safer and more accountable film sets.
Upcoming projects
Divyabharathi continues to be active in Tamil and Telugu cinema. She is currently part of Madhil Mel Kaadha and the upcoming web series Lingam.