Actor Abhirami Defends Kalakshetra Foundation Over Sexual Harassment Allegations

Actor Abhirami Venkatachalam, Nerkonda Paarvai, and Bigg Boss Tamil fame came under fire after commenting in favour of Kalakshetra. Four male faculties of Kakakshetra have been accused of sexual harassment. One of the accused, Hari Padman, has been arrested by the Chennai city police, while three others have been suspended.

Abhirami Venkatachalam, who is an alumnus of the cultural institute, said, "I’m not interested in commenting on the issue as we should not just hear one side of the story. This institution has been running for 89 years, and nothing like that has happened to blame the institute."

Abhirami Venkatachalam Defends Kalakshetra

Even non-Kalakshetrans are talking about the institute. People who can’t even spell Kalakshetra are commenting about it, and it’s hurting. As a former student, I can see that people are defaming Kalakshetra. I don’t understand how people conclude by just hearing one side of the story," she added.

"I’m taking a stand for Revathi Ma’am, the current director of the institute. People are saying that this has been going on for 10 years, but she wasn’t the director then. The teacher (accused Hari Padman) never got an opportunity to explain his side of the story. He has a family, a wife, and a daughter."

The irony is that Abhirami Venkatachalam acted in Nerkonda Paarvai, a film that spoke about consent, sexual harassment, and patriarchy.

Abhirami Venkatachalam indirectly attacked singer Chinmayi Sripaada, who called out lyricist Vairamuthu in the #MeToo movement. "This movement was started by someone. After climbing the ladder to success, one shouldn’t start the hashtag," she said. Further, Abhirami Venkatachalam defended her statements through her Instagram handle.

Chinmayi Sripaada took to her Twitter handle to express her thoughts on this issue. The singer wrote, "Yet I'm still surprised when another like Abhirami shames me, the endless optimist that I still stupidly am. Maybe I should just be grateful that time exposes people to who they are. My deepest wish - may everyone gets the lessons they deserve. And may time do the needful too."

She also encouraged survivors of sexual abuse to speak up if they wanted to and when they were ready. She emphasised that survivors need not be ashamed or feel at fault.

She explained that if not for the support of her husband and in-laws, she too would have never opened up about the injustice that happened to her.

Netizens are expressing their anger over Abhirami Venkatachalam's statement defending Kalakshetra Foundation. On March 30, the students of the institute started a protest demanding action against the four accused. Following the arrest of the accused, Hari Padman, and the suspension of three other accused, a committee has been formed to investigate the issue.

Suggested Reading: Kalakshetra Students Protest: Assistant Professor Hari Padman Arrested By Chennai Police