Lakshmi Manchu Recalls Not Receiving Support When Reporter Called Out Her 'Sense Of Dressing'

Lakshmi

Manchu has opened up about her recent controversy with a Telugu journalist while promoting her upcoming show Top Telugu Influencer in Hyderabad. The actor recalled the fall out with a reporter from last year, revealing that she faced the situation alone without support from the industry. She also went on to say that although the journalist eventually apologised after a month, she was later asked by a press association to remove the apology from her social media. Lakshmi shared that whole issue left her upset. She went on to questioning the lack of accountability.

Lakshmi Manchu On Lack of Industry Support

Speaking to the media during a promotional event in Hyderabad, Lakshmi Manchu said she felt isolated during her problem with a Telugu journalist last year. She said that despite raising complaints, she did not receive proper support from industry bodies or associations at the time. The actor said that it took nearly a month for the journalist to issue an apology, which added to her frustration over the delayed response to what she described as a humiliating experience.

Lakshmi further said that after she shared the journalist’s apology on social media, she received a call from a press association requesting her to delete as the journalist was reportedly “feeling bad” about the public apology.

About Lakshmi Manchu-Reporter Controversy

The controversy dates back to September 2025, when a reporter questioned Lakshmi Manchu’s dressing sense during an interview, making age and motherhood-related remarks. The actor objected, calling out the comment as inappropriate and pointing out underlying misogyny in the industry. The actor hit back, asking if he would ask the same question to Mahesh Babu. “How dare you! How dare you ask me that question?” she said. When he tried to change the question, claiming it’s what was said online about her, she called out misogyny in the film industry. Lakshmi claimed that a superstar’s ex-wife wasn’t getting work because his feelings were prioritised.

Following the incident, Lakshmi filed a formal complaint with the Telangana Film Chamber of Commerce (TFCC), demanding accountability and a public apology. She later received both a written and video apology from the journalist in October. After receiving the apology, Lakshmi Manchu stated that she chose to close the chapter with dignity and move forward. Her upcoming show Top Telugu Influencer is set to stream on Aha from July 3 at 7 PM. Lakshmi was last seen in Pookie and Lechindi Mahila Lokam, and also appeared as a contestant in The Traitors India.