Support pours in for Gouri Kishan amid body-shaming controversy

The Malayalam actors' body has come out in support of actor Gouri Kishan, who spoke out against body-shaming during a press meet in Chennai on Thursday. The Association of Malayalam Movie Artists, with actor Shwetha Menon at the helm, condemned the act by the YouTuber who discussed Gouri’s body weight at the press meet of the film ‘Others’.

“AMMA understands your pain, Gauri. And we strongly believe that it is wrong to engage in body-shaming irrespective of who does it, when and where,” the association shared in a statement. Several artists came out in support of the actor, congratulating her for her bold stand.

“Commendable and heartening to see you stand so strong, very disappointed to see your director, hero and production team not standing up for you. Press club should ban this Shanker, and pro-union should also take him out, not for his insensitivity but for his stupidity. All the young female actors stand tall like Gouri,” wrote actor and politician Radhika Sarathkumar.

Director Pa Ranjith and singer Chinmaya Sreepada also appreciated Gouri on social media. “More power to you. I strongly condemn the reporter's actions; they are unacceptable and shameful. That female actors have to still face these indecent questions goes to show the distance Thamizh cinema has yet to go,” Ranjith wrote. Chinmayi shared, “Gouri did an amazing job. The moment you call out a disrespectful and unnecessary question - a whole lot of shouting down happens. So proud that someone so young stood her ground and pushed back,” the singer wrote.

At the event, a vlogger posed a question to the hero Aditya Madhavan about Gouri’s weight in reference to a scene in the movie. Gouri immediately challenged the inappropriate inquiry, questioning whether the vlogger would ask the same of a male actor. She firmly told him that his question was both disrespectful and irrelevant, urging him to focus on her character in the film instead. Gouri also pointed out that such behavior had nothing to do with journalism, and in fact, was a complete disservice to the profession.

The Press Club of Chennai also condemned the YouTuber’s remarks regarding Gouri’s body weight. “Raising questions aimed at mocking or humiliating a woman artist over her physical appearance, especially in a professional forum meant to discuss a film is highly unethical, indecent, and condemnable. Despite Gouri Kishan clearly expressing her discomfort and objection, the YouTuber continued to justify his remarks and engaged in a heated argument with her. The Chennai Press Club strongly denounces such behaviour and urges fellow journalists to call out and question individuals who conduct themselves in a sexist or disrespectful manner. The club also appreciates actress Gouri for assertively and courageously expressing her views, even in the face of collective opposition during the press meet.