Highlights
- Tamil actor Gouri Kishan confronted a journalist for asking a sexist question about her weight during a press meet.
- Filmmaker Pa Ranjith, Khushbu Sundar, and Kavin publicly supported her response.
- The Chennai Press Club and Nadigar Sangam condemned the reporter’s behavior.
Gouri Kishan shuts down sexist question at Chennai event
Tamil actor Gouri Kishan, who rose to fame as the younger version of Trisha’s character in 96, has become the face of a wider debate on respect and professionalism in the film industry. During a recent press conference for her new film Others in Chennai, the 26-year-old called out a journalist for asking a question about her weight, a moment that quickly went viral and earned her widespread praise.
In the clip, the reporter asked Gouri’s co-star Aditya Madhavan whether it was difficult to lift her during a scene, citing her “weight.” Gouri immediately intervened, saying, “How does my weight concern you? How is that relevant to the film? My weight is my choice; it does not define my talent.”
When the journalist attempted to justify the question, she continued, “Every woman has a different body type. Stop normalizing body-shaming. I’ve worked hard on character-driven films. I don’t need your validation.” As organizers tried to move on, Gouri insisted, “I have a point to make here, and everyone is silencing me.”
Film fraternity backs her stand
The exchange drew swift reactions from across the Tamil film industry. Director Pa Ranjith wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “@Gourayy, more power to you. That female actors still face such indecent questions shows how far Tamil cinema has yet to go.”
Actor and politician Khushbu Sundar added, “How much a woman weighs is none of their business. Asking the hero about it? What a shame! Kudos to Gouri for standing her ground.”
Actor Kavin too voiced support, calling her “beautiful and inspiring, inside and out.”
Co-star Aditya Madhavan issues apology
Facing criticism for not stepping in during the incident, Others actor, Aditya Madhavan, broke his silence on X. “My silence didn’t mean I approve body-shaming of anyone,” he wrote. “I froze because it caught me off guard, as it is my debut. I wish I’d stepped in sooner. She didn’t deserve that. Everyone deserves respect.”
Industry bodies condemn the reporter
The Chennai Press Club released a statement clarifying that the person involved was a “YouTuber,” not a professional journalist. “Raising questions that mock or humiliate a woman artist over her physical appearance, especially in a professional forum, is unethical and indecent,” it said. The statement also praised Gouri for her “composure and courage in voicing her objection.”
The South Indian Artistes’ Association (Nadigar Sangam) also expressed solidarity, saying, “We strongly condemn the incident that happened to our sister yesterday. We will take steps to ensure such behavior does not happen again.”
Gouri: “It’s not humor, it’s about respect”
While some online users described the reporter’s question as “light-hearted,” Gouri dismissed that defense. “I did not find it funny. It’s about respect,” she said. “I haven’t been asked a single question about my character or preparation, only about my body. Would you ask the same of a male actor?”
Turning a moment into a message
Gouri’s firm yet composed reaction has sparked a broader conversation about body-shaming and gender bias in South Indian cinema. What began as an uncomfortable exchange has become a statement on dignity and the right to be treated as a professional, not a punchline.
Her film Others released on November 7, while her next project, Love Insurance Kompany, directed by Vignesh Shivan, hits theaters on December 18.
