Singer Pravasthi Aaradhya Faces Backlash Post Accusing Padutha Theeyaga and Sunitha of Harassment

19-year-old singer Pravasthi Aaradhya, a participant on the reality TV show "Padutha Theeyaga Silver Jubilee," has accused the show's makers and judges of bullying, harassment, and body-shaming. In a social media post, Aaradhya specifically named singer Sunitha Upadrashta, Oscar-winning composer MM Keeravani, and lyricist Chandrabose, alleging that their behavior towards her was inappropriate and deeply upsetting.

Singer Pravasthi Aaradhya, a 2024 "Super Singer" winner, has taken to Instagram to expose what she calls a "horrifying" experience on the reality show "Padutha Theeyaga Silver Jubilee." Aaradhya revealed that she joined the show hoping to gain more exposure and grow as an artist, but her expectations were shattered by what she described as a personal nightmare.

In her video, Pravasthi Aaradhya alleged that singer Sunitha Upadrashta displayed consistent indifference towards her during the show. Pravasthi claimed that Sunitha appeared disgusted whenever she took the stage and even made negative comments about her talent to MM Keeravani, unaware that Pravasthi's earpiece was still plugged in, allowing her to hear everything.

Pravasthi Aaradhya revealed that while music composer MM Keeravani and lyricist Chandrabose initially treated her warmly, their behavior changed as the show progressed.

When I got eliminated, he looked at me and commented on how he disliked singers performing at weddings. Everyone there knows I do that due to my financial situation

- Pravasthi

Calling out Sunitha, she said, “Sunitha garu always looked disgusted whenever I came on stage. She also badmouthed me to Keeravaani garu about my talent. When she said that, my earpiece was plugged in, and she didn’t know it.”

Pravasthi Aaradhya alleges that she was deeply hurt by comments made by music composer MM Keeravani on the show, which she believes were intended for her. "He was very biased towards melodies and his compositions. When I got eliminated, he looked at me and commented on how he disliked singers performing at weddings. Everyone there knows I do that due to my financial situation. He also used the word ‘chakiri’ (colloquial word for job) when describing the singers who work for him, which felt off.”

“They treated me like I was worthless and cracked jokes about my body. I did not expect this from them at all because I have participated in numerous singing shows. The production often pressured me to wear sarees and tie them low to expose my navel. Even the costume designer told me to my face he couldn’t dress me better because of my body," she claimed.

In a subsequent Instagram story, Pravasthi Aaradhya addressed Sunitha's fans directly, asking them to back off. “To all the Sunitha garu fan accounts who are bullying and threatening me, first meeru celebrities ni gods laga treat cheyyadam aapandi. Valu kuda mee laga naa laga humans ee. (first stop treating celebrities like gods. They are humans like me and you).”

She added, “Don’t discredit my feelings because you like their voice or talent. Talent veru oka human heart veru. Naku aina experience nenu cheppanu. (Talent is different from the human heart. All I’ve done is share my experience) So please stop bullying me.”

As of now, Sunitha Upadrashta, MM Keeravani, Chandrabose, SP Charan, and the production team, Gnapika Productions, have not responded to Pravasthi Aaradhya's allegations.