Reel-ing with controversy

If Tollywood's report card is to be analysed, there doesn't seem much to talk in recent times in terms of BO-success.
The only thing making any noise sadly enough seems to be controversies and ugly spats. Not the catfight sort, but serious allegations which are coming to light, as actresses, quite a few of them from Mumbai, are coming out in the open with shocking stories and revelations.While it does no good to the image of the industry, it also threatens to plug the influx of actresses from outside the state, something that would go against the popular notion of Tollywood being a 'friendly' place for outsiders. Some industry sources would however like to tell you that its' all the actresses' fault.
Neetu Chandra - Rajasekhar
Actress Neetu Chandra, who's acted in Bollywood films like Garam Masala, Traffic Signal and Oye Lucky... came to Tollywood for Satyameva Jayathe, the Telugu remake of Khaki. On the last day of the shoot, it was reported, she was harassed and manhandled by actor Rajasekhar. When we spoke to her later, she said, "I was highly unwell but he (Rajasekhar) kept taking his own sweet time to get ready. I couldn't go on any longer, and that's when he along with two other men stormed into my room and threatened and manhandled me." Neetu has filed a case with the Human Rights and Women's Rights commission and is in contact with Commissioner of Police, Hyderabad. Jeevitha, who is directing and producing the film, and is Rajasekhar's wife, said Neetu was a troublemaker from the beginning. "Let them file a case if that's true," says Neetu, who's determined to see this to the end.
Shilpa Sivanand - Mohan Babu
There have been controversies earlier, which in the end were somehow hushed. Actress Shilpa Sivanand had filed a case again actor Mohan Babu alleging that he physically abused her up during the shoot of a film at Annapurna Studios. Mohan Babu's son Vishnuvardhan Babu made his debut in the same film. Shilpa���s sister actress Sakshi Sivanand came to the rescue, convincing Shilpa to lodge a complaint with the police. After the episode, a compromise was learnt to have been worked out and the case was not even pursued.
Malavika - Rajendra Prasad
Turn the clock a little more and another actress Malavika alleged senior actor Rajendra Prasad of misbehaviour during a kissing scene for the film Apparao Driving School. She alleged that the actor kissed her several times unnecessarily and she later walked away from the shooting. She did lodge a complaint with the MAA, it was reported, but nothing came of it.
Meera Chopra
Actress Meera Chopra aka Neela, filed a case against the producer of Satyam Sivam Sundaram demanding higher remuneration due to which the film is yet to see the light of day. Later, she did act in a Telugu film, Vaana, which released last year, but did not fare well at the BO. She's run out of offers after that.
Namita- Sreenu Vytla
Namita, now one of the top actresses of Tamil cinema, accused director Sreenu Vytla of harassment when she made her debut film Sontham in 2000.
Rambha, too alleged the producers of Donga Sachinollu of not having paid her remuneration fully.
Ask why such cases happen and Murali Mohan, president of Movie Artistes Association, opines the solution lies with the MAA. "We tell actors to enroll with the MAA, including the ones from Mumbai," he says. He adds, "It's not wise to go to courts or the police. Both parties should come together for a mutual solution." And if that makes you raise a brow, you have to hear this - "These actresses are not serious. Some of the actresses didn't turn up for shooting in the past. Then, the producer and director may get angry and give out a warning." He said, however, he has no idea about the Rajasekhar-Neetu Chandra case.
A producer, on conditions of anonymity, opines that sometimes actresses don't get paid fully or want extra money, and that's when they do nakhras and accuse the producers.
"Before commitment to any film, the artiste should make a written agreement with the producer," advised producer-director Tammareddy.