A Telugu influencer from New York has opened up the conversation about her troubled experience trying to enter Tollywood by sharing her experience of getting into Tollywood. In what she did on Instagram, a Telugu influencer from New York posted a video that quickly went viral and raised serious questions about safety and professionalism in the entertainment industry.
In the video, Piku Nemali described how she came into contact with the assistant director. Hoping to be able to get an opportunity, she shared her portfolio and photos, and even spoke on the phone to express her interest in acting. But things soon went wrong, she said.
She claimed that the assistant director later called her and asked her to come to a resort in India to meet a producer. The invitation, she said, was not professional and hinted at expectations of sexual favours. Realising this, she immediately blocked the person and cut off all contact.
The influencer said such experiences make many talented Telugu girls afraid to enter the industry. She described this as part of a “bad culture” that discourages newcomers and creates fear rather than opportunity. She said she had shared names and reported the matter to a women’s support team in the industry and admitted she only had text messages as proof.
The video gathered huge attention online, with thousands of views, comments and shares. Many users hailed her courage for speaking up, and others gave advice on how to stay safe during casting calls– like checking production houses and avoiding unknown invitations. Some voices were sceptical or against her claims, with divided views on social media.
Jhansi, the TV artist who is part of the women’s support panel, reached out to the influencer. Jhansi advised her to file a formal complaint with the Sexual Harassment Redressal Panel, and to be confident that the issue would be taken seriously and investigated properly.
The incident has once again raised questions about safety for newcomers in the entertainment world. Experts and users online stressed the need for better awareness, stronger support systems, and careful verification before trusting unknown contacts. Many also encouraged aspiring actors to report such incidents without fear, so that the industry can become safer and more welcoming.
