Chinmayi Sripaada, once a celebrated playback singer and dubbing artist in Tamil cinema, made a striking return to the public stage during the recent Thug Life audio launch held at Sai Ram Engineering College in Chennai. Her appearance came as a surprise to many, considering her prolonged absence from Kollywood events following her outspoken role in India’s #MeToo movement.

In 2018, Chinmayi bravely came forward with allegations of sexual harassment against veteran lyricist Vairamuthu. Her testimony had a profound impact, contributing to a national reckoning within the entertainment industry. However, the professional consequences were immediate and severe. She was subsequently removed from the South Indian Cine, Television Artistes and Dubbing Artists Union (SICTADAU), widely referred to as the Dubbing Union, effectively barring her from work across multiple film projects.

Yet on Saturday, Chinmayi reclaimed the stage with grace and power, performing a live rendition of Muththa Mazhai, a composition by A.R. Rahman from Thug Life, starring and co-produced by Kamal Haasan under his Raaj Kamal Films International banner. While the original Tamil track is sung by Dhee, Chinmayi lent her voice to the Hindi (Ang Ang Morey) and Telugu (Muddu Vaana) versions, proving once again why she remains one of the most gifted vocalists of her generation.

Her participation is particularly notable, as Chinmayi has been openly critical of both Kamal Haasan and Thug Life director Mani Ratnam in recent years, highlighting issues of accountability within the industry. Despite this, her inclusion in a high-profile project such as Thug Life signals a possible shift, an acknowledgment of her talent and her unwavering stand for justice.






Questions have frequently surfaced about how Chinmayi continued to lend her voice to films like 96, Bigil, and Leo, despite the ban imposed by the union. Addressing a fan’s query on X (formerly Twitter), she clarified:

"96 was before the #MeToo movement broke out. Leo - I was hired despite the ban, and Radha Ravi’s union even tried to track down the recording engineer to penalize them. That’s the level of control they try to exercise. These diktats are sent to other unions, instructing them not to hire the banned artist. I’ve been fighting this legal battle for over six years."




Despite the institutional roadblocks, Chinmayi has continued to contribute to Tamil cinema, voicing tracks in films like Bigil, LKG, Rangi, Por, and Garudan.

In a world were speaking up often comes with a cost, Chinmayi’s return to the stage is not just a comeback, it’s a reminder that talent, courage, and conviction can never truly be silenced. Her voice, rich in nuance and emotion, continues to resonate far beyond the confines of any blacklist.

Source / Image Credit : RKFI Official , Chinmayi Sripaada, Free Press Journal