Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma has taken a sharp swipe at Telugu actor Sivaji, days after the latter made objectionable remarks about women’s clothing at the pre-release event of Dhandoraa. Sivaji’s comments
drew widespread backlash from social media users and members of the film fraternity, eventually prompting him to issue a public apology.
Now, the filmmaker has reignited the debate by openly praising The Raja Saab actresses Nidhhi Agerwal, Malavika Mohanan and Riddhi Kumar for choosing to dress on their own terms. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), the filmmaker shared a selfie of the three actresses with Prabhas and applauded them for ignoring what he described as “moral barkings.”
RGV Takes A Dig At Sivaji
In his post, Varma wrote that the actresses “didn’t care about moral barkings of Sivaji and his vitriolic batch” and wore exactly what they wanted at the Raja Saab event.
Hailing the three, Ram Gopal Varma penned, “All 3 heroines of #Prabhas @AgerwaLNidhhi @MalavikaM_ @riddhiculousart didn’t care about moral barkings of Sivaji and his vitriolic batch at #RajaSaab event and wore exactly what they wanted to wear. Hats off to you 3 HEROES for giving a tight face slap to those VILLAINS.”
All 3 heroines of #Prabhas @AgerwaLNidhhi@MalavikaM_
@riddhiculousart din’t care about moral barkings of Shivaji and his vitriolic batch at #RajaSaab event and wore exactly what they want to wear.😎😂🤣 Hats off to you 3 HEROES for giving tight face slap to those VILLAINS pic.twitter.com/7tJPUaIROC— Ram Gopal Varma (@RGVzoomin) December 28, 2025
What Did Sivaji Say?
The controversy began after actor Sivaji spoke about how women, particularly heroines, should dress at a Dhandhoraa event. While addressing the audience in said in Telugu, “I request all heroines not to wear revealing outfits. Please wear sarees or dresses that cover the body fully. Beauty lies in complete attire or a saree, not in displaying physical assets. A woman is like nature. When nature is beautiful, we respect it. A woman is like my mother, whom I hold close to my heart.”
“People may not openly say anything because they feel it is your freedom, but inside they may not like it. Freedom is precious-don’t lose it. People will respect you based on your conduct. Glamour should have limits; it should not cross a certain line,” he concluded.
Sivaji Issued An Apology
The comments were met with immediate criticism online, with many calling them unsolicited and inappropriate. After facing immense backlash, Sivaji took to X and shared a video message expressing regret over his statements.
In the clip, he stated, “I should not have used unparliamentary words. I was not speaking about all women. I only said maybe actresses wouldn’t be made to feel uncomfortable if they dressed carefully. The intention wasn’t to demean anyone, but because I used such words, I sincerely apologise.”
I sincerely apologise for my words during the Dhandoraa pre-release event last night.@itsmaatelugu pic.twitter.com/8zDPaClqWT
— Sivaji (@ActorSivaji) December 23, 2025
Sivaji has also issued a written apology to the Telangana Women’s Commission for his derogatory remarks.
