Manya Anand says casting couch accusation against Dhanush’s manager Sreyas was not intended, calls viral clip misleading

Highlights

• Manya Anand earlier described an inappropriate “commitment” request from someone claiming to be Dhanush’s manager
  
• Later clarified that her comments were taken out of context and intended as an awareness message
  
• Says she is unsure if the caller was genuine and suspects an impostor
  
• Manager Sreyas Srinivasan denies wrongdoing and says scammers are misusing his name
  
• Manya urges the public not to circulate misleading edits
  

Initial claim sparks controversy

Tamil television actor Manya Anand recently found herself in the centre of a social media storm after an interview clip circulated online, suggesting she accused Dhanush’s manager, Sreyas, of a casting couch attempt. In her conversation with a regional outlet, she described being contacted by someone who spoke about a “commitment,” a term she interpreted as an inappropriate suggestion tied to a film opportunity.

She said she questioned the request directly, asking why such a “commitment” should exist for professional work. According to her, the caller went on to ask whether she would still refuse “even if it’s Dhanush sir.” Manya added that the person sent her the location of a production office and a script, though she chose not to read it.

Clarification: “It was awareness, not an accusation”

Following the uproar, Manya released a new video explaining that her earlier remarks had been taken out of context. She stated firmly that the intention of her interview was to spread awareness about fraudulent casting calls and the kind of pressure young performers often face.She emphasised that she never confirmed whether the caller was truly Dhanush’s manager. In fact, she said she openly expressed uncertainty even during the original interview, noting that the approach could have come from an impostor posing as a legitimate industry representative.Manya said parts of her interview were clipped and circulated in a way that made it appear she was directly accusing a known individual. She described this as distressing, explaining that the edited version of the interview “turned an awareness message into an accusation.”

Response from the manager

Sreyas Srinivasan, the manager named in the viral posts, denied the claims and said fraudulent activity is involved. According to him, scammers have repeatedly misused his name and passed off fake casting calls to multiple artists. He stated that two numbers were being circulated as his and that he had already lodged a complaint to address the matter.

He expressed concern that the situation damaged reputations on both sides and said he hoped the truth would be clarified quickly.

Manya urges caution in the industry

In her follow-up video, Manya urged people to watch her full interview and understand the context instead of relying on edited clips. She said actors often face confusing or suspicious calls, and she wanted to highlight the need for vigilance.

“We are artists. Take work from us, but don’t expect anything else in return,” she said, stressing that performers should not be pushed into compromising positions. At the same time, she said false claims and misrepresentations can harm innocent people, which is why she felt the need to clarify her remarks.

Who is Manya Anand?

Manya Anand is known for her role in the Tamil television series Vanathai Pola. She has spoken about industry misconduct in the past and continues to use her platform to call attention to unsafe or unethical practices, while now also warning about fraudulent behaviour that targets both artists and industry professionals.