Television anchor Shwetha Reddy demanded that reality shows like Bigg Boss, should be stopped by the government.
Addressing a press conference here on Monday, she said that she was subjected to body shaming by the selection committee of the show and alleged that the show was encouraging casting couch.
“I was personally subjected to body shaming and was asked difficult and intimate questions by the selection committee and despite bringing it to the notice of the higher-ups no action was taken,” said Ms. Reddy.
She demanded that such reality shows, which were produced in a number languages across the country, should be stopped as women were being subjected to body shaming and forced into casting couch.
“I have already filed a complaint with the police and cases have been registered under IPC Sections 354 and 509, against the organisers, but still the show is on and no inquiry has been taken up,” she said.
‘Actor didn’t respond’
Ms. Reddy alleged that actor Akkineni Nagarjuna, who is the host of the Telugu Bigg Boss-3 show, was also aware of the happening, as it had been brought to his notice. “But to our surprise, he has been insensitive to the issue and dismissed it by terming it as a mere rumour,” she said.
K. Padma of Mahila Chetana said that the government should set up a mechanism to regulate such reality shows and there should be some transparency in the selection of candidates.
“The candidates are made to sign agreements and are sworn to secrecy and that is why things are not coming out. But it is time the government intervened and set things right,” said Ms. Padma.
