Lawrence bumper offer to Sri Reddy

Chennai, July 30: Backing the allegations raised by Telugu actress Sri Reddy over the issue of 'casting couch', actor-turned-director Raghava Lawrence has now responded to the issue and banged Sri Reddy for the self-same.

Issuing a press statement, Lawrence has questioned Sri Reddy's claims and asked why she didn't point out this seven years earlier only.

A Tamil website quoted him as saying:

"Sri Reddy has said that she met me during the making of Telugu movie Rebel. It's already been 7 years after all that movie. Why didn't she report this back-to-back? She said that she came to my hotel room and I abused her. She also stated that she saw Gods' photos and rudraksha mala in my room. I am not a fool to keep rudraksha mala at hotels and do pooja."

He said that he is empathetical on her and is willing to offer her a chance in his film, "We will do one thing: I will arrange a press meet. In the presence of wholesome, I will give you a character and scene to depict and give you some dance steps to dance. That doesn't mean I will give you difficult steps like I do. I will give you simple steps and dialogues - just the basic qualities an actor should insist."

The dance choreographer said, "As a director, if I really feel you have the talent, I will sign a good roleplay in my next movie and give you an advance. If you do my project, maybe you will get more chances and you might feel better (or) if you feel bad acting in front of everyone, then contact my manager, bring your lawyer, and well-wishers with you and show your acting skills to me, and I will help you.

This reply is not because I got scared, it is because I respect women a lot. That's why I had built a temple for my mother and dedicated it to all women. Let's talk about good things and do good things. I pray for your good life."

However, Sri Reddy has been accusing several Tamil actors and directors of culling sexual favours from her on the bluff of roping her into the film projects.