Toxic's Rukmini Vasanth slams ‘zoom-ins’ and ‘inappropriate angles,’ demands dignity in public event coverage

A renewed debate over media ethics at public events has gathered momentum after Kannada actress Rukmini Vasanth publicly condemned the practice of filming women from “inappropriate angles.” The issue, long whispered about within the industry, has resurfaced with several actresses questioning why celebratory appearances — from promotional gatherings to cultural functions — are frequently reduced to voyeuristic visuals.

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Rukmini Vasanth has reportedly addressed the matter in a strongly worded Instagram Story that quickly drew support from colleagues and fans alike. 

A Collective Stand for Dignity

In her statement, Rukmini Vasanth wrote, "As women in the film industry, we stand together in addressing a recurring issue. Repeatedly, videos and photographs of female actors at public events are shot and circulated from inappropriate angles, with unnecessary zooms that focus on our bodies rather than our work."

She continued, "This behavior, carried out by a few individuals, is disrespectful and unacceptable. We are here for our craft. We are here for our cinema."

Calling for accountability, she added, "We unequivocally condemn deliberate zoom-ins and inappropriate angles. They are clear violations of dignity and will not be normalized or tolerated. We expect those covering events to maintain professionalism, basic respect, and decency."

Concluding her note, she stated, "We stand united in setting this boundary. We stand in solidarity with every woman who has experienced this — and we will continue to support one another in demanding respect."

Not an Isolated Concern

Rukmini’s remarks echo similar objections raised over the years by actors such as Vidya Balan, Taapsee Pannu and Parvathy Thiruvothu. Vidya Balan has publicly called out photographers for zooming into her body during events, questioning whether such framing serves any journalistic purpose.

Taapsee Pannu has objected to what she described as the “hyper-focus” on attire over achievement. Parvathy Thiruvothu, too, has spoken about how camera language can subtly perpetuate objectification at public gatherings.

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Work Front 

Rukmini Vasanth garnered widespread praise for her performance in Kantara: A Legend Chapter 1, directed by Rishab Shetty, with audiences applauding her emotional depth and commanding screen presence. She will next be seen in Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-ups, led by Rocking Star Yash. While details about her role remain under wraps, the film’s release has been officially postponed from March to June.