Actor and alumna Abhirami Venkatachalam wades into Kalakshetra row, trolled on social media

In addition to Padman’s suspension pending the inquiry, the services of three repertory artists—Sanjith Lal, Sai Krishnan, and Sreenath—were also terminated.

On the sidelines of an event in Chennai, Abhirami said efforts are being made to defame Kalakshetra. While speaking to the media, she said, “I am a Kalakshetra alumnus. I am not interested in commenting on the issue as we should never look at just one side of the story. After knowing just one side of the story, people are making various comments. In 89 years, nothing of that sort happened to blame the institution. Even non-Kalakshetrans are passing their judgement on the institute”.

Abhirami claimed people who cannot spell the name of Kalakshetra are making comments about the institute and it’s hurting her.

The actor also commented on Kalakshetra Foundation Director Revathi Ramachandran, who was summoned by the Tamil Nadu State Commission for Women in connection with the sexual harassment allegations. “I would like to take a stand for Revathi ma’am. She was appointed just recently. People are saying that the harassment had been going on for 10 years, she wasn’t the director then. People are blaming her for everything. Also, the teacher (arrested on charges of sexual harassment) was never given a chance to explain his stance. He has a family, a wife and a daughter, but no one really gave a thought about that,” she said.

Abhirami, who rose to fame with the Tamil film Nerkonda Paarvai about sexual abuse and consent, also took a dig at the #metoo movement saying people should speak out when abuse happens and one shouldn’t start the hashtag after climbing the success ladder.

After her comments, several Twitter users pointed to her film Nerkonda Paarvai, saying she should weigh in before speaking.

“She is embarrassing everyone now. She literally was in the Pink movie Tamil version & still is taking sides of the harasser saying college name defame aaguthu just because it didn’t happen to her in that campus doesn’t mean it didn’t happen to anyone from that campus,” tweeted one.

“Abhirami Venkatachalam! Next time, hire a PRO to help draft public statements for you. You clearly suck at public speaking and have dug yourself up a very deep grave. Good luck getting out of this one, sweetie. P.S: You should probably watch this movie called Nerkonda Paarvai,” posted another.

Abhirami Venkatachalam!
Next time, hire a PRO to help draft public statements for you.
You clearly suck at public speaking and have dug yourself up a very deep grave.
Good luck getting out of this one, sweetie.

P.S: You should probably watch this movie called Nerkonda Paarvai.

— Aditi Prasad (@AditiPrasad90) April 4, 2023

“Abhirami is more than evil..she shamelessly defends the molesters just by saying she didn’t face it n the irony is she acted in NERKONDA PARVAI..Such a shame…these kind of women are as dangerous as predators,” said yet another user.

Meanwhile, Kalakshetra has formed a three-member independent committee comprising Justice (retd) K Kannan, former Tamil Nadu DGP Letika Saran, and Dr Shobha Vartham to inquire into allegations of sexual harassment.