JD Chakravarthy Reveals He 'Beat Up' Producer for Misbehaving With Heroine

The casting couch controversy has returned to Telugu cinema discourse, this time with veteran actor-director JD Chakravarthy making explosive revelations about standing up against harassment in the industry.

During promotional interviews for his recent film Gayapadda Simham, Chakravarthy disclosed a shocking incident where he physically confronted a producer who misbehaved with a heroine on set. "I beat up that producer when I saw how he was behaving inappropriately with the actress," he stated bluntly, though he refused to name the film or producer involved.

Chakravarthy's comments have gone viral on social media, bringing fresh attention to the persistent issues women face in Telugu cinema. What makes his statement particularly significant is his willingness to admit taking direct action rather than staying silent: a rarity in an industry where such incidents are often hushed up.

The seasoned filmmaker was quick to defend the broader industry, arguing that painting all of Tollywood with the same brush would be unfair. "95 percent of people in this industry are thoroughly professional. Only five percent engage in such misconduct," he emphasized. This measured perspective reflects his decades of experience across various roles in cinema.

More intriguingly, Chakravarthy drew a distinction between genuine filmmakers and opportunistic outsiders who enter cinema as a side venture. "These troublemakers aren't real producers," he argued. "They come from other businesses and want to make films for fun. They lack professional values, unlike genuine producers who live and breathe cinema."

The actor noted positive changes in recent years, claiming that such incidents have decreased significantly over the past two years. However, he acknowledged that occasional bad actors still surface, requiring vigilance from industry veterans.

Chakravarthy's revelations come at a crucial time when several Telugu film personalities are actively encouraging local talent, particularly Telugu women, to enter the industry. His comments add a sobering reality check to these recruitment drives, highlighting the ongoing need for better safety mechanisms and industry accountability.

While his decision to physically confront harassment might be legally questionable, Chakravarthy's public stance represents a rare moment of accountability in Telugu cinema's often-opaque power structures.