'A lobby is working against me'; will take legal action against Sathyabhama, YouTube channel and anchor, says Ramakrishnan

THRISSUR: RLV Ramakrishnan said that he will take legal action against Sathyabhama, who made abusive remarks against him, as well as the YouTube channel and the anchor who interviewed her. He said that he has sought legal advice from experts regarding filing the complaint.

Ramakrishnan also said that there is a situation where newcomers cannot enter the art field.

"I've decided to deal with abusive remarks legally. There is no place for discrimination in the field of art. The fight is against the mindset that dark-skinned people shouldn't perform Mohiniyattam. There is a lobby working against me in the arts sector. Such lobbies are behind the constant controversies," RLV Ramakrishnan said.

Meanwhile, actor and BJP leader Suresh Gopi has come out in support of Ramakrishnan. He said that Ramakrishnan will be given a stage to perform and that he will be invited to the festival at his family temple. Suresh Gopi added that he will be invited and will be paid for his performance. Ramakrishnan responded that he was happy for Suresh Gopi’s kind gesture.

Sathyabhama made the controversial remark during an interview given to a YouTube channel. ‘A mohini should always perform Mohiniyattam. He has the complexion of a crow. Mohiniyattam is an art form where one has to keep the legs wide apart. It is odd to see a male performing the dance by keeping his legs apart. If the dance form suits men, then they should be handsome. Aren't there good-looking men? Even his mother will not be able to tolerate it,’ she said in the interview.