Actor Jeeva got into a scuffle with a journalist in Theni, Tamil Nadu to avoid answering questions on his stand on the Hema committee report. The video quickly went viral and singer Chinmayi Sripada reacted to it and took a dig at the ‘Nanban’ actor.

When asked about the Hema Committee report, Jeeva said, “I have also heard about it. It is wrong.” The actor added, “We had the first part of #MeToo and now the second part has come. Now people are openly naming them (abusers). It is wrong. We should create a healthy environment in cinema.”

He then said, “We are here for a good event, so let’s have good things. I have come to Theni after a long time. I have come here after shooting for a film called Thenavattu. A lot of things are happening in a lot of industries. Your job is to gather news. Our job is to maintain a good atmosphere. As actors, we bring smiles to a lot of people’s faces and that is why we have come here.”

The Hema Committee report brought to light rampant sexual harassment cases in the Malayalam film industry and also highlighted how people in powerful positions in the industry constantly harassed female actors and technicians.

When asked if sexual harassment issues are prevalent in Tamil cinema as well, Jeeva claimed that it does not happen in Kollywood. Jeeva said, “I have already answered it, I cannot answer again and again.” He then reportedly asked if the journalist who raised the question had sense. This quickly turned into a ruckus as journalists questioned Jeeva about his behaviour on the spot.

Singer Chinmayi Sripada reacted to Jeeva’s reply, writing, “I really don’t understand how they are saying sexual harassment doesn’t exist in the Tamil industry. How?!”

Chinmayi Sripada had earlier spoken about this in an exclusive interview with IndiaToday.in. Sexual harassment is prevalent in film industries, including the Tamil film industryChinmayi, who is fighting her sexual harassment case against Tamil lyricist Vairamuthu, highlighted that in most film industries, the perpetrators work together. She called it a ‘nexus of power, politics and money’. The singer said that the well-established political connections in the film industry and the support of fellow men make it easy for these perpetrators to go unpunished.