After having been at the forefront of the #MeToo movement from the Tamil film industry, renowned singer and dubbing artiste Chinmayi Sripaada, who accused poet Vairamuthu of sexual harassment, on Saturday said that she has been removed from South Indian Cine and Television Artistes and Dubbing Artistes Union without any intimation.
In a series of posts on social media, Ms. Chinmayi said the decision seems to have been taken due to non-payment of subscription fees for two years. “I have been terminated from the dubbing union. Which means I can no longer dub in Tamil films henceforth. The reason stated is that I haven’t paid ‘subscription fees’ for 2 years though this hasn’t stopped them from taking 10% off my dubbing income,” she said.
Ms. Chinmayi, who has sung almost all the songs in smash hit, 96 , and dubbed for actor Trisha in the film, wondered if the removal would mean that she would never dub for a Tamil film again. “According to Tamil Film Industry rules, if you’re not a member of the dubbing union they won’t allow you to work. Considering no written communication/message was sent to me on past dues, and with the membership terminated, I wonder if I will dub for a film again in Tamil,” she said. She added, “I expected the first axe to go down from the dubbing union. I don’t know yet if I’ll be given my membership back.”
The dubbing union’s president Radha Ravi could not be reached for comment.
