'My body, my right. And his eyes, his right': Singer Sunitha Upadrasta sparks controversy with comments on feminism

Popular Telugu singer and dubbing artist Sunitha Upadrasta has found herself facing intense criticism on social media after comments she made about feminism and women's freedom during a recent interview went viral.

The singer's remarks, particularly her statement linking the phrase "my body, my right" with "his eyes, his right", triggered widespread debate and drew strong reactions from internet users.In a conversation with Gulte about gender equality and feminism, Sunitha shared her perspective on what she believes the movement should represent. She argued that certain modern interpretations of feminism focus on the wrong issues and suggested that habits such as smoking or dressing in a particular way should not be viewed as symbols of liberation.“Women think the cigarette light is their torch for freedom. It is the stupidest thing in the world to equate cigarette smoking with equality. If a man smokes, he might lose just minutes, but a woman will lose hours of her life. The debates on equality today surprise me; I think it’s a waste of time. If you think freedom is to wear whatever you want, you’re being foolish. That’s not feminism at all. It is to value my opinions as much as a man's, and if I am treated well, that’s important,” she said.

Her remarks quickly gained traction online, with many users disagreeing with her interpretation of feminist issues.The most controversial part of the interview came when the discussion turned to bodily autonomy. Responding to the popular feminist slogan, Sunitha said, “My body, my right. And his eyes, his right. When women say it, then it’s his right too. In my opinion, it doesn’t come under freedom. Wear whatever you want, as long as you’re safe.

If you think nobody will judge you or look at you, wear it. It’s easier to keep myself safe than to change how someone else views me.

It’s not our culture. I don’t mind if you think I’m old school.”She further clarified that she was not denying the challenges women face in society. According to her, feminism should primarily focus on ensuring that women receive equal respect and recognition rather than centering discussions around clothing choices or smoking.

Social media users push back

The clip soon spread across social media platforms, where many users accused the singer of oversimplifying feminist concerns and overlooking decades of activism surrounding women's rights.One user wrote, “Andamaina moham, Sravyamaina gonthu vunna vallaki Common Sense kooda vundi vuntadi le ani anukovatam kacchitam ga mana thappe. (It’s our fault for assuming those with beautiful faces and voices would have common sense too).”Another user expressed frustration, commenting, “When I say my body my right, i am not violating anyone you dumbf**k!!!”Several others argued that the phrase "my body, my right" is closely tied to issues such as reproductive rights, consent and bodily autonomy rather than fashion choices.

Critics question the logic behind the statement

Many social media users also challenged the suggestion that dressing modestly guarantees safety. One user questioned, “What guarantee does the society give to women who don't parade the idea of "my body, my choice" and who dress pretty modestly that harassment be it verbal or physical won't happen to them.

The harassments are going to happen either way even if you dress modestly or not so why.”Another critic wrote, “Equating women’s bodily autonomy with men’s lack of self-control is a flawed argument. It also reflects a mindset that views women’s choices through the lens of male validation.”Others pointed out that women can distinguish between being casually looked at and being subjected to unwanted staring or harassment, arguing that the issue goes beyond perception.

Sunitha Upadrasta: A celebrated voice in Telugu entertainment

Sunitha Upadrasta remains one of the most respected voices in Telugu entertainment. The 48-year-old singer and voice artist began her playback singing journey with the 1995 film 'Gulabi' and has since delivered numerous popular songs across decades. Apart from her singing career, she has also earned recognition as a dubbing artist and television personality, including her stint as a judge on the popular music reality show 'Padutha Theeyaga'.While the debate surrounding her comments continues online, the interview has once again highlighted the differing perspectives that often emerge whenever discussions around feminism and personal freedom enter the public sphere.