In another strong stand against everyday misogyny in the entertainment industry, actor Divyabharathi has publicly called out director Naresh Kuppili for derogatory behaviour — coming just days after Gouri Kishan’s viral confrontation with a YouTube journalist at a Chennai press meet on 6 November 2025.

While the two incidents are unrelated, both highlight a growing pushback from women in South Indian cinema who are refusing to tolerate dismissive, sexist treatment on sets or in the media. 

On November 6, actor Gouri Kishan made headlines during the press meet of her film Others in Chennai when she firmly called out a male YouTuber for a body-shaming question about her weight. Her response — “This is not journalism” — went viral across Tamil cinema circles, sparking conversations about the disrespect and sexist scrutiny women actors face in public spaces. Many lauded her for confronting a pattern that often goes unchecked, especially in film media interactions.

Against this backdrop, actor Divyabharathi has now spoken out about her own experience — this time involving a filmmaker. On Wednesday, she took to X (formerly Twitter) to call out Naresh Kuppili, the director of her upcoming Telugu film 'GOAT', accusing him of misogynistic behaviour both online and during the shoot.

Divyabharathi shared a screenshot where Naresh referred to her as “chilaka”, a Telugu slang term that, while literally meaning bird, is widely understood as a derogatory and objectifying label for women.

He also commented that she deserved to be a “second lead actress”, prompting the actor to publicly address what she says is a larger pattern.

In her post, she wrote:

“Calling women ‘Chilaka’ or any other term isn’t a harmless joke; it’s a reflection of deep-rooted misogyny. And this wasn’t a one-off incident; this director followed the same pattern on set too, repeatedly disrespecting women and honestly, betraying the very art he claims to create.”

Divyabharathi further expressed disappointment with co-star Sudigali Sudheer, alleging that he remained silent despite witnessing such behaviour firsthand.

“What disappointed me most was seeing the hero stay silent, allowing this culture to survive one more day. I choose better… I choose workspaces where women aren’t targets for mockery, where every voice matters, and where respect is non-negotiable.”

Her statements prompted a wave of reactions online. When some users accused her of “having issues” with colleagues frequently, she firmly countered that narrative.

Divyabharathi stated she has worked repeatedly with the same technicians and actors in Tamil cinema without conflict, and that only one director — Naresh — crossed a line.

“He chose to make it public, and I have every right to respond,” she wrote. She also criticised those defending him, saying their support only normalises toxic behaviour.

Even though the Gouri Kishan and Divyabharathi incidents are entirely separate, both have contributed to a renewed spotlight on the gendered disrespect women still face in cinema.

From press meets to film sets, the message from women in the industry is becoming clearer: silence is no longer an option.

About Divyabharathi

Divyabharathi rose to fame with the 2021 Tamil hit Bachelor, co-starring GV Prakash. She later appeared in Maharaja (2024) and reunited with Prakash for Kingston.

'GOAT' marks her Telugu debut. Her upcoming projects include the Tamil film 'Madhil Mel Kaadha' and a JioHotstar web series titled 'Lingam'.