April 24, 2018
Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma, whose "Officer" is coming up for
release in May, may find his release plans road-blocked by film associations in
Andhra Pradesh which have taken offence to his unabashed support and endorsement
of actress Sri Reddy's protests against casting couch. He says he's ready to
direct her if there's a suitable role.
"Of course I will work with her if
there's a role for her," Varma said.
Varma denies all apprehensions of a
boycott of his film, saying: "That's all social media gossip. There's no person
in the Telugu film industry or any organisation within the Telugu film industry
which has said that I should be boycotted. On the contrary, they are forming
committees to address the issues brought forward by her."
He feels
Reddy's protests have paid off.
"They already are in the process of
forming committees that she demanded. One of them being CASH (Committee Against
Sexual Harassment) to address sexual harassment. They put a ban on her some 15
days back and two days later they cancelled it and apologised to her," said
Varma.
Reddy created a sensation by resorting to strip protest against
casting couch in the Telugu film industry in front of the office of Telugu Film
Chamber of Commerce here earlier this month.