From mockery in memes to molestation, women continue to suffer the worst of behaviour and comments stemming from sexist attitudes. This is an ongoing saga, despite all the strong laws and activism. Women celebs appear to be particularly prone to being targeted like this in an atmosphere of male chauvinism.
A few weeks ago, a male TDP leader and former AP minister was in the eye of a storm for making crass, sexist remarks on minister and former actress RK Roja. Director A.S. Ravikumar Chowdary forcibly kissed Mannara Chopra without her consent at a film’s press conference in Hyderabad recently, And now, a video, which surfaced on social media featuring actor Mansoor Ali Khan, sees him making inappropriate and repulsive remarks about actress Trisha, with whom he had starred in the film Leo. In speaking so at a media interaction, he has triggered a huge controversy.
In the media interaction, Mansoor Ali Khan was heard expressing his wish was for a rape scene with Trisha, as he was cast as a baddie in Leo.
As the video went viral, Trisha took to X and slammed Mansoor to express her displeasure. She wrote, “A recent video has come to my notice where Mr. Mansoor Ali Khan has spoken about me in a vile and disgusting manner. I strongly condemn this and find it sexist, disrespectful, misogynistic, repulsive and in bad taste. He can keep wishing, but I am grateful never to have shared screen space with someone as pathetic as him and I will make sure it never happens for the rest of my film career as well. People like him bring a bad name to mankind.”
A transcript of Mansoor’s interaction has him saying this. “They are not casting me as a villain only (these days)...They are not letting me rape (onscreen). I thought of saying this at the Leo (audio launch) itself, but I left because there were some people who could have blown this out of proportion. I too had a desire. I will say it here. Wow, it’s Trisha! If I must act with Trisha, then there definitely will be bedroom scenes. Just like how I flung (actress) Khushbu and Roja (actress) on the bed (in movies), I will be able to fling her (Trisha) too. I have done all kinds of rapes and atrocities in over 150 films. They are not casting me as a villain only. Trisha was carried like how Hanuman carried the Chiranjeevi mountain to Kashmir. It ensured that her foot didn’t touch any of it. She was taken away like that only; they didn’t bring her into our sights only.”
It was not the first time Mansoor made such disgusting remarks. At the success meet of Leo, he had said, “I happily agreed to come on board Leo after Lokesh Kanagaraj said Trisha is acting in it. Contrary to what I had imagined, I didn’t have even a single shot with her. Later, I thought I would at least get Madonna (another co-star in Leo) paapa. But, hmmm…Lokesh said she is my sister in Leo.”
It is a known secret that director Lokesh is a big fan of Mansoor and everyone waited on how the former would react to this controversy.
On his X handle. Lokesh reacted to call out Mansoor. He posted, “Disheartened and enraged to hear the misogynistic comments made by Mr. Mansoor Ali Khan, given that we all worked in the same team. Respect for women, fellow artistes and professionals should be non-negotiable in any industry and I absolutely condemn this behaviour.”
Actress and politician Khushbu, whose name was also dragged into the video featuring Mansoor, condemned him on her X handle.
Vijay, the lead star of Leo, Vijay is, however, yet to react on the controversy.
Mansoor clarifies; doesn’t apologise
Mansoor claimed his words were taken out of context, asserting that his statements about Trisha were misconstrued and misleadingly edited to ignite controversy. He said that he didn’t get opportunities to work with heroines in old films, and it was his way of speaking comically to express himself. But it was edited in the wrong way, and the wrong video was shown to Trisha. He also stated that everyone knows that he always respects female co-stars. He claimed that the controversy is aimed at sabotaging his film and political aspirations. He added that as a human being he has done so much for the people and will be continuing to do so. “My personality needn’t be questioned. This has been nothing but defamation against me. My Tamil people know how much I’ve stood for mankind. Everybody knows who I am, what I am.
The clarification without an apology or feeling of remorse left many disappointed and this led to a flood of trolls and pointed criticism from netizens.
Whenever men speak against women, strong legal and police action should take place, whether it’s the TDP MLA who attacked me, or Mansoor who again has spoken about Trisha, Khushbu and me. Unless strong legal actions take place, these men will not fear anything. We are empowered women in politics and cinema and if we ourselves are targeted like this imagine other women who come in contact with these men.” — Roja Selvamani, Minister, Tourism and Youth Development, Govt of Andhra Pradesh
Chinmayi who dubbed for Trisha in Leo said The thing about men like Mansoor — they have always been talking like this. Never been condemned, with other men in power, money and influence laughing along. But this behaviour has been normalised forever. Mansoor will continue to get work, that’s how it works. Just like how Radha Ravi continued to despite his verbal diarrhoea at so many audio launches.
Netizens, fans and many celebs called out condemning Mansoor. Most felt he should be arrested.
Karthik Subbaraj: Disgusting MEN kind he is... Shame on you MansoorAliKhan
Archana Kalpathi: This is absolutely unacceptable behaviour from Mr Mansoor Ali Khan and I strongly condemn this and find it offensive and deplorable . I stand by you @trishtrashers and call for severe action to be taken.
Malavika Mohanan: This is disgusting on so many levels. It’s shameful enough that this is how this man views women & thinks about them, but then to have the guts (!!) to speak about it openly & unapologetically, not even worried about repercussions?? Shame on you. Despicable beyond belief.
“As a member of the National Commission for Women, I have already taken up the issue of Mansoor Ali Khan with my seniors and will take appropriate action on it.” — Khushbu Sundar, Actress/politician Member, National Commission for Women
Nadigar Sangam condemns
South Indian Artistes Association aka Nadigar Sangam has issued a statement signed by its president actor Nasser stating they were shocked to see the video of Mansoor Ali Khan, where he has made slanderous remarks about actresses. They said the association strongly condemned Mansoor's comments and demanded a public apology from him. They have also said that they are pondering whether to remove him from SIAA membership temporarily, until he tenders a public apology.
