Police has tightened security outside Telugu actor Nagarjuna Akkineni's house, in the wake of call for protests from students of Osmania University in Hyderabad. This is in the backdrop of the 'casting couch' controversy around Bigg Boss Telugu season 3. After Nani and Jr NTR, Nagarjuna is set to host season 3 of the show, which premieres July 21.
Bigg Boss Telugu 3 has grabbed eyeballs after an anchor at a Telugu news channel filed a complaint against the organisers for violating her agreement and unethical practices. A Telugu actress also filed a case, alleging improper behaviour. Swetha Reddy, an anchor at AT New Republic Telugu in Hyderabad, filed a case against four of Bigg Boss 3 Telugu's organisers on July 13. In a press conference, she alleged that the show's makers invited her to be a part of the show but then later reneged on their contract. Claiming that she was issued a formal contract, she told The News Minute that the Bigg Boss 3 Telugu organisers kept her in the dark regarding confirmation of her place on the show. She alleges that the Star Maa programming director finally met her only to ask what she would do to 'satisfy' the boss — an unspecified person — and that she could not get the opportunity unless she did. In addition, she says that she was 'fat-shamed' as the organisers asked her what she would do to reduce weight.
Actress Gayathri Gupta claims that she was also approached to be a member of the Bigg Boss house and that show organiser Raghu visited her house with contract papers which she signed but was not given a copy of. She said organisers Abhishek, Ravikanth and Raghu visited her at home later to discuss the show, where they asked "How would you manage 100 days without sex in Bigg Boss house" during the process.
According to reports, the Osmania University students have filed a petition with the State Human Rights Commission requesting an inquiry into the complaints of ‘casting couch’ being used to select women participants. If the show’s organisers were found guilty, the show should be banned, they demanded. The students also threatened to storm Nagarjuna's house, as a mark of protest.