The Tamil film industry’s #MeToo movement, which has for years been dominated by the serious allegations against celebrated lyricist Vairamuthu, is now facing an internal storm after Chinmayi, a prominent accuser publicly dismissed the claims of a fellow artist, singer and former RJ Suchitra.
Chinmayi Sripaada, who remains engaged in a legal battle with Vairamuthu over her harassment claims, first raised her allegations during the MeToo movement in India in 2018.
Chinmayi revealed that between 2000 and 2006, Vairamuthu made unwanted sexual advances towards her, including demanding she visit his hotel room in Switzerland where they were both performing. When she refused, he allegedly intimidated her, warning that her career could end. Chinmayi also shared how Vairamuthu threatened to damage her reputation by falsely accusing her of speaking ill about a politician.
In 2024, in an interview, Suchitra described a pattern of behavior from Vairamuthu, claiming he used specific “dialogues” with female singers, such as, “Ma’am, your voice has a lust.” She recounted a particular incident where, after a phone call about the song “May maadham 98,” Vairamuthu invited her to his home under the pretense of giving a gift.
Sensing his intentions were improper, Suchitra arrived with her grandmother. She described Vairamuthu as visibly “shocked” and “anxious.” “My grandmother told him, ‘She is like your daughter, you should behave responsibly,’” Suchitra stated, noting that he was sweating. When asked about the gift, a flustered Vairamuthu reportedly presented her with two bottles of Pantene shampoo – an offering Suchitra interpreted as a cover for an intended inappropriate advance.
When netizens brought out this story recently on social media platform X when discussing some other issue, Chinmayi’s response was swift and dismissive.
She directly contested Suchitra’s status as a victim. “Suchitra is NOT one of Vairamuthu’s preys,” Chinmayi wrote. “I don’t feel any shame or remorse in saying this but if you call me a liar I wish you all the harassment Vairamuthu subjected me and the other women he touched without consent plus our loss of careers.”
This statement has sparked significant backlash, with many critics accusing Chinmayi of gatekeeping victimhood and attempting to control the narrative. The reaction has been intensified by the fraught history between the two women.
A Contentious Past: The Shadow of #SuchiLeaks
The current tension is rooted in the 2016 “#SuchiLeaks” scandal, during which Suchitra posted a series of tweets leveling unsubstantiated allegations against Chinmayi. At that time, Chinmayi publicly suggested Suchitra was a “mental patient,” a move that Suchitra’s supporters believe was instrumental in damaging her career.
In 2017, Suchitra posted private and disturbing photos and videos of several Tamil celebrities on her then Twitter account, including Chinmayi. Suchitra also made serious allegations against Chinmayi through a series of tweets, accusing her of rumors related to abortions and compromising her career, which Chinmayi strongly denied.
Suchitra later claimed her Twitter account was hacked and denied making those accusations intentionally, while her husband Karthik Kumar said she was going through an emotional and mental health crisis. Chinmayi, meanwhile, maintained that she was a victim of false and malicious rumors and demanded a public apology and clarification about Suchitra’s mental state at that time.
Suchitra about chinmayi.
After these tweets chinmayi gand portrayed suchitra as a mental patient .
She lost her opportunities & her career was ruined. A great talent was murdured by chinmayi. pic.twitter.com/9TkMvP457p— Chapo 🤠 (@DictatorDirectr) November 6, 2025
Following backlash for her post dismissing Suchitra’s experience, Chinmayi deleted the post.
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