Telangana Women’s Commission Summons Actor Sivaji

The Telangana State Commission for Women has officially issued a notice to Telugu actor Sivaji, directing him to appear in person before the panel. The summons comes in response to controversial statements made by the actor during a recent promotional event for his upcoming movie, Dhandoraa. The Commission has taken “suo motu” cognizance of the matter, stating that the actor’s comments appear to be derogatory and aimed at defaming women, particularly those from the Telangana region.

During the event, Sivaji suggested that women and female actors should stick to traditional attire like sarees to maintain their “dignity.” He reportedly used unparliamentary language to describe women who choose different clothing styles. These remarks quickly went viral, sparking massive outrage on social media platforms. High-profile figures, including singer Chinmayi Sripaada and actor Anasuya Bharadwaj, publicly criticized the actor for what they termed “regressive moral policing” and “patriarchal narratives.”

In a video statement released shortly after the backlash, Sivaji offered a public apology. He claimed that his intention was rooted in a genuine concern for women’s safety following recent incidents of mobbing involving high-profile actresses. He admitted that his choice of words was inappropriate and that two specific “unparliamentary” terms had slipped out inadvertently. However, despite the apology, the Women’s Commission has decided to proceed with a formal inquiry to address the impact of his statements.

The Commission has instructed the actor to appear at their office at 11:00 AM this Saturday, December 27, 2025. He is required to provide relevant documents or support material related to his statements. Meanwhile, over 100 women professionals from the film industry have filed a separate complaint with the Movie Artists Association (MAA). This incident has reignited a nationwide debate on personal choice, freedom of expression, and the responsibility of public figures when addressing social issues.