Dubbing Union asks Chinmayi Sripaada to pay ‘Random Fee’, issue an apology after #MeToo

As part of the #MeToo movement, singer Chinmayi Sripaada, had accused veteran poet-lyricist Vairamuthu of sexually harassing her.

The singer, who had also backed several women who spoke against actor and head of the South Indian Cine Television Artistes and Dubbing Artistes Union, Radha Ravi, was then removed from the union.

Now, Sripaada has been asked to pay Rs. 1.5 lakh to be taken back in the Union.

Apart from the Rs. 1.5 membership charge, she has also been asked to apologise to the actor.

“Why should I apologise? The mindset needs to change. It seems to be a system that’s emboldening the predator rather than emboldening the victim and giving her the right to work in a harassment-free environment,” she told NDTV.

“All these years I’ve been paying 10 per cent of my income to dubbing union,” she added.

The vocalist also went on to say that she is already witnessing a decline in work offers after she came out with the allegations.

She also said that as per the rules of the dubbing union, the membership charge is Rs. 2,500.

“What is this random 1.5 Lakh fee + apology?” she said in a series of tweets.

In October, Chinmayi Sripaada alleged the organisers of an event in Switzerland demanded she visited Vairamuthu at his hotel room alone where she was also accompanied by her mother.

Later in Chennai, Srpaada had alleged that Vairamuthu sexually harassed her at his house, while the latter denies it.

After Sripaada’s allegations against the poet-lyricist, several other women anonymously named Vairamuthu in their #MeToo accounts.

The singer also dismissed Vairamuthu’s defence against the #MeToo claims, calling him a “liar”.

On the other hand, actor Radha Ravi has also denied allegations.

He claimed it was retired Judge Vasuki, appointed by court, who had terminated Chinmayi ahead of union elections for non-payment of membership fee.

Denying the Union was targeting Chinmayi for her #MeToo allegations, he added, “As far as 1.5 lakh is concerned, it’s the basic membership fee, and not a fine. Anyone who wants to become a member, they pay 1.5 lakh. Now she’s not our member. If she wants to join, she must join as a new number. The demand for apology is a decision of the union and not mine.”

Chinmayi, rejecting Radha Ravi’s claim, has already moved the Madras High Court.