Telangana labour department issues notice to Irumudi makers over child actor
Mythri Movie Makers must provide records regarding child actor Nakshathra's working hours, safety, and remuneration.
The Telangana labour department has issued a notice to the makers of the Ravi Teja-starrer Irumudi following a complaint regarding child actor Nakshathra. According to reports from Hindustan Times, Outlook and Deccan Herald, the notice concerns the minor's involvement in the film's shooting and promotional activities.
The complaint was filed by C Mahesh Babu, the founder-president of Jai Lok Satta (Social Justice Forum). The joint commissioner of labour for the Ranga Reddy Zone has scheduled a meeting with the production house, Mythri Movie Makers, for November 4 at Anjaiah Karmika Samkshema Bhavan in RTC X Roads.
The department has sought several documents, including parental consent, the District Magistrate’s permission, attendance records, and details on working hours. Producers must also provide information on educational arrangements, safety measures, and whether 20 per cent of the child actor's remuneration was deposited into a fixed deposit account in her name.
Officials are expected to examine whether child labour regulations were followed and if language used during a promotional event affected the child actor's dignity. This follows criticism of Ravi Teja for using an allegedly derogatory term for the child actor during a pre-release event in August.
During that event, the child actor asked the actor for a nickname, to which he responded with a phrase that some viewers argued was inappropriate. Neither the actor nor the film's team has publicly addressed the controversy. Irumudi was released in theatres on August 21 and is currently streaming on Netflix.