#MeToo | Pressurised by Sandalwood, Sanjjanaa apologises to director for speaking out

News Network

November 13, 2018

Bengaluru, Nov 13: In a development that clearly re-emphasised the male dominance in Kannada film industry, actress Sanjjanaa Galrani, who three weeks ago had joined the #MeToo bandwagon, has apologised to director Ravi Srivatsa for publicly accusing him of harassing her during the shooting of the erotic thriller film, Ganda Hendathi.

The 29-year-old actress had claimed the director had forced her to enact intimate scenes, which she was not comfortable with. She had claimed that she had signed up for only one kissing scene but was eventually asked to shoot 15 such scenes. In her statement, she had said her father was ‘ashamed of the way the movie eventually turned out’ and that the director had threatened her and yelled at her.

The issue had snowballed into a controversy with Srivatsa complaining to the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) and the Kannada Film Directors Association alleging that Sanjjanaa had tarnished his image by making false allegations. Senior Sandalwood actors intervened and held discussions with both the actor and the director even as an informal probe was under way.

“None of her accusations is worthy. If she belonged to a cultural family as she claims, then why did she sign the film…The script was narrated to her before the shoot…I demand an apology,” Srivatsa had said.

Actor Ambareesh requested the actress to apologise for making such ‘baseless allegations’ against a member of the directors’ association of the Kannada film industry. Sanjjanaa apologised to Srivatsa at Ambareesh’s residence in the presence of director Roopa Iyer, producer Rockline Venkatesh, association president Nagendra Prasad and others.

During the meeting, Sanjjanaa said that she had used the #MeToo platform to discuss her ordeal but didn’t mean to offend anyone.

“I was very young when it happened to me and was disturbed, but today things are different. My intentions were not to hurt anyone in the industry or members of the directors’ association. I am very sorry,” said Sanjjanaa in her helpless apology.

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Siddaramaiah's camp on alert as Karnataka Congress leadership rift escalates

News Network

November 27,2025

Bengaluru, Nov 27: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s camp is reportedly on alert as the Congress leadership tussle in the state intensifies, particularly amid speculation over the potential promotion of Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar. Siddaramaiah is said to be in a “wait-and-watch” mode after admitting to “confusion” earlier this week and urging the party to “put a full stop” to it.

Sources say his supporters are ready to act if senior leaders — including party chief Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, and Rahul Gandhi — give any indication of backing Shivakumar. If the party insists on a leadership change, Siddaramaiah’s camp has a list of alternatives, underscoring the deep rift between the two leaders. One possible candidate is Home Minister G. Parameshwara, a Siddaramaiah loyalist and influential Dalit leader.

The strategy was reportedly finalized at a meeting led by PWD Minister Satish Jarkiholi, another Siddaramaiah supporter, who stressed that Delhi leaders need to resolve the issue. Kharge and the Gandhis are expected to meet soon, after which Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar may be summoned to Delhi.

Shivakumar has largely stayed non-confrontational, publicly endorsing Siddaramaiah and downplaying speculation about his own ambitions. However, he has made pointed comments emphasizing the importance of honoring promises, directed at Siddaramaiah.

The feud traces back to the 2023 state election, when Siddaramaiah was chosen as Chief Minister while Shivakumar, who led the party’s campaign, was made Deputy CM and state party chief — a departure from the Congress’ usual “one post per person” rule.

There were also hints of a prior understanding that Siddaramaiah would step down midway through the term. As the halfway mark passed last week, Shivakumar-aligned lawmakers have ramped up pressure on the party for a leadership change, with Shivakumar himself hinting at stepping down as state party chief to pursue the top job.

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