Lokesh Kanagaraj faces criticism for employing Chinmayi in Vijay’s Leo

Rajendran, the vice president of South Indian Cine, Television Artistes and Dubbing Artistes Union, has criticised Lokesh Kanagaraj and Chinmayi in a recent interview.

Chinmayi, a non-member of South Indian Cine, Television Artistes and Dubbing Artistes Union, worked in Leo.

Director Lokesh Kanagaraj and singer Chinmayi Sripada have found themselves at the receiving end of criticism from Rajendran, the vice president of South Indian Cine, Television Artistes and Dubbing Artistes Union. In a recent interview, Rajendran claimed that Lokesh disrespected the union by employing Chinmayi, a non-member. He claimed that Chinmayi and Lokesh had broken the rules due to improper management of the current union.

Rajendran, who is contesting for the president’s post, claimed that the issue is the main reason for him to contest in the election. Rajendran claimed Chinamyi was able to work in Leo because of a few members in the union who turned a blind eye towards Leo. He further claimed that Chinamyi also dubbed for the Telugu version of the Tamil movie in Hyderabad, which is also against the rules.

Talking about Lokesh Kanagaraj, he said, “Chinmayi herself has told openly in a YouTube channel that she had told Lokesh Kanagaraj that there is an issue between her and the union. She asked him won’t it be a problem if she dubs for Leo. The director told her, ‘Don’t bother about the union. You go ahead.'”

Story continues below this ad

ALSO READ | Chinmayi Sripaada calls out Rahat Fateh Ali Khan’s ‘inhumane behaviour’: ‘If cameras existed earlier, more greats would have been exposed’

According to News18, Leo makers have paid Rs 50000 to the dubbing union as compensation for employing Chinmayi. Rajendran didn’t comment about the same.

However, when Rajendran was asked about the issue between Chinamyi and the union, he said, “There is no such issue between them. A problem that was going on before was #MeToo. There is no #MeToo issue in dubbing union at all. Radha Ravi anna will thrash if something like that happens. If a woman dubbing artiste stays late, she has to be dropped back home safely. It should be reported back to the union. So, such allegations are baseless.”

Earlier, Chinmayi filed a case against the dubbing union for canceling her membership. While she claimed to possess a lifetime membership, with which she doesn’t have to pay the yearly fee, it was later said that the singer only had a normal membership. After failing to pay the fees, her membership was eventually canceled by the union.

The fallout between Chinamyi and the union began after her allegations against Radha Ravi, the president of the union. She shared several #MeToo allegations against Ravi, which were denied by the actor.

Story continues below this ad

The controversy surrounding Chinmayi’s participation in Leo underscores broader issues within the Tamil film industry, highlighting the intersection of artistic freedom, union regulations, and ethical considerations in casting decisions.

Click here to follow Screen Digital on YouTube and stay updated with the latest from the world of cinema.

Tags:
Chinmayi

As Bihar SIR sparks concern in Tamil Nadu, EC fires back: ‘Absurd to connect the two’

Political Pulse6 hr ago

EC denies allegations of adding migrant workers from Bihar to Tamil Nadu's voter lists, stating that the SIR exercise is being deliberately obstructed. DMK and allies accuse the EC of attempting to change the state's political demographics. Former Union Minister P Chidambaram calls it an "abuse of power" and urges for political and legal action.

View all shorts

More Entertainment

Entertainment With Shah Rukh Khan winning his maiden National Award, the jury surprisingly showed both spine and sense. But what about us?