It’s not unusual for the film industry to be surrounded by rumors and gossip. Sometimes, journalists or reporters push these stories for their own advantage, often asking uncomfortable or inappropriate questions during interviews. A similar situation occurred during the press meet for Tollywood’s upcoming film Pottel, which is set to release on October 25th.
At the event, a female reporter sparked controversy by asking lead actress Ananya Nagalla about the issue of the casting couch in Tollywood. Ananya immediately shut down the question, firmly stating that such practices don’t exist in the industry. However, the reporter persisted with another shocking and distasteful question, asking if actresses’ remuneration was ever influenced by agreeing to “sexually please” someone.
These inappropriate questions have now gone viral, sparking heavy criticism toward the reporter for repeatedly grilling Ananya Nagalla. The incident has been widely condemned as regressive, with many feeling it crossed ethical boundaries in journalism, especially when it comes to handling sensitive topics with celebrities.