Gouri Kishan calls out sexist question from media on her weight; gets Pa Ranjith, Kushboo Sundar, Chinmayi Sripaada’s support: ‘Don’t need your validation’

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The other journalists present in the room argued that the question was asked in jest, but Gouri doubled down on her criticism and said, “I did not find it funny. Stop normalising body-shaming. It was a question about me; I have the right to have an opinion.”

She continued her critique of the kind of questions the media poses to female stars and argued that she hasn’t been asked a single serious question about the film or her role in it. “I haven’t been asked a single question about my character or preparation for the role. But everyone wants to know about my weight. You are objectifying a female actor. This is not journalism; you are a disgrace to your profession,” said Gouri.

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Aditya, who was present with her during the whole fiasco, later wrote on X (formerly Twitter) that he regrets not speaking up for her co-star when the question was posed. He wrote, “Hi to all. My silence didn’t mean I approve of body shaming of anyone. I froze because it caught me off guard, as it is my debut. I wish I’d stepped in sooner. She didn’t deserve that. No one does. Everybody deserves respect, regardless of who we are. I apologise once again.”

Hi to all, My Silence didn’t mean i approve body shaming of anyone. I froze because it caught me off guard as it is my debut. I wish I’d stepped in sooner. She didn’t deserve that. No one does. Everyone deserves respect, regardless of who we are. I apologise once again. https://t.co/St1bTk4pbH

— Aditya Madhavan (@adityamadhav01) November 6, 2025

Actor Kushboo Sundar also took to her social media and wrote a message supporting Gouri’s stand. She wrote, “Journalism has lost its ground. The so-called journos take journalism to the gutters. How much a woman weighs is none of their business. And asking the hero about it?? What a shame! Kudos to the young Gouri Kishan, who stood her ground and gave it back. Are the same men ok if we women, actors, turn around and ask the same question about the women in their families? Respect is never one-way traffic. Learn to give respect if you expect to be respected.”

Kushboo Sundar supports Gouri Kishan. (Photo: Instagram Stories/ Kushboo Sundar)

Filmmaker Pa Ranjith replied to a video from the press meet and wrote, “Gouri, more power to you. I strongly condemn the reporter’s actions; they are unacceptable and shameful. That female actors still have to face these indecent questions goes to show the distance Thamizh cinema has yet to go.”

@Gourayy more power to you. I strongly condemn the reporter’s actions; they are unacceptable and shameful. That female actors have to still face these indecent questions goes to show the distance Thamizh cinema has yet to go.
pic.twitter.com/tYUo9LH8Zx

— pa.ranjith (@beemji) November 7, 2025

Singer Chinmayi Sripada, who has always been vocal about female rights, supported Gouri’s stance and lauded the actor for speaking her mind. She wrote, “Gowri did an amazing job. The moment you call out a disrespectful and an unnecessary question, a whole lot of shouting down happens. So proud that someone so young stood her ground and pushed back. No male actor gets asked what his weight is. No idea why they asked a female actor.”

Gowri did an amazing job. The moment you call out a disrespectful and an unnecessary question – a whole lot of shouting down happens.
So proud that someone so young stood her ground and pushed back.

No male actor gets asked what his weight is. No idea why they asked a female… pic.twitter.com/BtKO6U7lpQ

— Chinmayi Sripaada (@Chinmayi) November 6, 2025

Directed by Abin Hariharan, the cast of Others include Gouri Kishan, Jagan, Aditya Madhavan, Anju Kurian, Munishkanth, and Maala Parvathi.