Sri Reddy Biography: Age, Family, Mother, 2018 Tollywood Protest, Police Cases & Latest News
Sri Reddy (Sri Reddy Mallidi) is an Indian actress who has worked in Telugu films and television. She made her film debut in Nenu Nanna Abaddam (2011) and played the female lead in the thriller Aravind 2 (2013). She became nationally known in April 2018, when she staged a protest in Hyderabad over what she alleged was widespread sexual exploitation of women in the Telugu film industry. The protest led the Movie Artistes Association (MAA) to first ban her and then revoke the ban and agree to set up a committee against sexual harassment, and it prompted notices from the National Human Rights Commission. In later years she became known for her political commentary on social media, which led to police cases in Andhra Pradesh in 2024 and 2025 and a public apology.
Sri Reddy Latest News (October 2026)
- Police questioning (April 2025): Sri Reddy appeared before police at the Pusapatirega station in Vizianagaram district, Andhra Pradesh, in April 2025 in response to a summons. The case was registered on complaints from workers of the ruling alliance over videos she had posted on social media about Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan and Minister Nara Lokesh. No charges or outcome had been reported at the time.
- Apology (November 2024): After a case was registered against her in Visakhapatnam in November 2024 over her remarks, she wrote open letters to Nara Lokesh and Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy apologising for her comments, admitting she had “spoken very harshly many times” and saying she would stop using such language and step back from political comments.
Sri Reddy Profile and Wiki
| Bio | |
|---|---|
| Full name | Sri Reddy Mallidi |
| Profession | Actress |
| Age (as of 2026) | 34 years |
| Industry | Telugu films and television |
| Known for | Aravind 2, 2018 Tollywood protest |
| Career | |
| Film debut | Nenu Nanna Abaddam (2011) |
| Lead role | Aravind 2 (2013) |
| Later film | Climax (2021) |
| Announced biopic | Reddy Diary (announced 2018) |
| Personal Life | |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Marital status | Unmarried |
| Father | Venkat Reddy |
| Mother | Pushpavathi |
| Based in | Chennai (reported) |
Sri Reddy Early Career
Sri Reddy began her career in Telugu entertainment and made her film debut in 2011 in Nenu Nanna Abaddam, directed by Govind Varaha. Two years later she played the female lead in director Sekhar Suri’s thriller Aravind 2 (2013). She also worked in television and appeared in smaller film roles, but she did not break into the industry’s front ranks.
A film titled Zindagi, with Challa Sai Varun, was announced with her in the cast. In 2021 she played a minor role in Climax, a film starring veteran actor Rajendra Prasad.
The 2018 Tollywood Protest
In April 2018 Sri Reddy staged a semi-nude protest in Hyderabad, outside the Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce, to draw attention to what she alleged was the sexual exploitation of women, including newcomers and local Telugu actresses, in the film industry. The protest drew national media coverage and a fierce public debate over the “casting couch” in Tollywood.
The Movie Artistes Association (MAA) initially responded by banning her from membership. The ban itself became controversial: actor Apoorvaditya Kulshrestha left the MAA in protest, and several actors spoke out against the industry’s silence on harassment. The National Human Rights Commission of India issued notices to the Telangana government over the protest and the issues it raised.
Under pressure, the MAA revoked its ban on Sri Reddy and agreed to set up a Committee Against Sexual Harassment, one of the most visible institutional responses to harassment complaints in the Telugu film industry at the time. The episode took place several months before India’s wider #MeToo movement gained momentum later in 2018, and it is often mentioned in discussions of that period.
Aftermath
Following the protest, Sri Reddy continued to make allegations against various people in the film industry, some of which were disputed, and she remained in the headlines for much of 2018. She also filed a police complaint alleging she had been assaulted at her residence in Valasaravakkam, Chennai. In August 2018 she announced that a biopic about her life, titled Reddy Diary, would be directed by Alauddin.
Move to Chennai and Social Media
After 2018 she was reported to be living in Chennai and became active on social media, where she posted videos about films, her personal life and, increasingly, politics. Her outspoken and often provocative style attracted both supporters and critics, and many of her posts drew media coverage in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
Political Commentary and Police Cases
She became known as a vocal supporter of the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) and a critic of its opponents during Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy’s tenure as Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh. After the Telugu Desam Party-led alliance won the 2024 state elections, complaints were filed against her over her past remarks.
In November 2024, TDP women activists filed a complaint at the Two-Town Police Station in Visakhapatnam over comments about the families of Chandrababu Naidu, TDP leaders and Pawan Kalyan, and a case was registered. Sri Reddy responded with open letters to Nara Lokesh and Jagan Mohan Reddy apologising for her remarks. In April 2025 she appeared for questioning at the Pusapatirega police station in Vizianagaram district in another case over her social media videos. No outcome of these cases had been reported.
Sri Reddy Timeline
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 2011 | Film debut in Nenu Nanna Abaddam |
| 2013 | Female lead in Aravind 2 |
| April 2018 | Protest in Hyderabad over alleged exploitation in Tollywood |
| 2018 | MAA bans her, then revokes the ban and agrees to form a Committee Against Sexual Harassment |
| August 2018 | Announces biopic Reddy Diary |
| 2021 | Minor role in Climax |
| November 2024 | Case registered in Visakhapatnam; open letters of apology |
| April 2025 | Appears for police questioning in Vizianagaram district |
Sri Reddy Movies List
| Year | Film | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Nenu Nanna Abaddam | Debut; directed by Govind Varaha |
| 2013 | Aravind 2 | Female lead; directed by Sekhar Suri |
| 2021 | Climax | Minor role; with Rajendra Prasad |
| TBA | Zindagi | Announced; with Challa Sai Varun |
Why Sri Reddy Is a Notable Figure
Sri Reddy’s acting career was modest, but her 2018 protest made her one of the most discussed names in Telugu cinema. It forced the industry’s main actors’ body to change its stand and create a committee against harassment, and it sparked a national conversation about the treatment of women in regional film industries. Her later turn to political commentary, and the legal trouble that followed, has kept her in the news, though for very different reasons.
Lesser-Known Facts About Sri Reddy
- Her full name is Sri Reddy Mallidi.
- Her first film was Nenu Nanna Abaddam (2011).
- A biopic about her, Reddy Diary, was announced in 2018.
- The MAA reversed its ban on her within weeks of the 2018 protest.
- She publicly apologised for her political remarks in November 2024.
Related Biographies
- Anasuya Bharadwaj Biography – Telugu TV and film star
- Sreemukhi Biography
- Rashmi Gautam Biography
- Singer Kalpana Biography
- More stars: Tollywood biographies
FAQs
Who is Sri Reddy?
She (Sri Reddy Mallidi) is an Indian actress who worked in Telugu films and became widely known for her 2018 protest against alleged sexual exploitation in the Telugu film industry.
What was Sri Reddy’s first movie?
Her first film was Nenu Nanna Abaddam (2011), directed by Govind Varaha.
Why did Sri Reddy protest in 2018?
She protested in Hyderabad in April 2018 to draw attention to what she alleged was widespread sexual exploitation of women in Tollywood.
Did the MAA ban Sri Reddy?
Yes. The Movie Artistes Association banned her after the protest, but it later revoked the ban and agreed to set up a Committee Against Sexual Harassment.
Why was a case registered against Sri Reddy?
Cases were registered in Andhra Pradesh in 2024 and 2025 on complaints over her social media comments and videos about political leaders. She appeared for police questioning in April 2025.
Did Sri Reddy apologise?
Yes. In November 2024 she wrote open letters to Nara Lokesh and Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy apologising for her remarks.
Where does Sri Reddy live?
She has been reported to live in Chennai since around 2018.
Is there a biopic on Sri Reddy?
In August 2018 she announced a biopic titled Reddy Diary, to be directed by Alauddin.
Which films has Sri Reddy acted in?
Her films include Nenu Nanna Abaddam (2011), Aravind 2 (2013) and Climax (2021).
What is the Movie Artistes Association?
The Movie Artistes Association (MAA) is the main association of actors in the Telugu film industry. It banned Sri Reddy after her 2018 protest, then reversed the ban.
Who directed Aravind 2?
Aravind 2 (2013), in which Sri Reddy played the female lead, was directed by Sekhar Suri.
Has Sri Reddy acted in films recently?
Her most recent known film role was a minor part in Climax (2021), starring Rajendra Prasad. A film titled Zindagi was announced but has no release date.