Named Parashakti, yet women felt unsafe: allegations during movie shoot at Koti Darbar Hall

Ironically named after the symbol of feminine power, Parashakti has landed in controversy after women students alleged they felt unsafe during the film’s shoot at the historic Koti Darbar Hall in Hyderabad. The shoot, part of Sivakarthikeyan’s upcoming film Parashakti , took place at Koti Women’s College, officially known as Veeranari Chakali Ilamma Women’s University, where students claim serious lapses in safety and inappropriate behaviour by some members of the film unit.

According to multiple students, certain crew members allegedly behaved in an unprofessional and disturbing manner, with claims that a few appeared to be under the influence of alcohol during the shoot. The students said they were approached under the pretext of opportunities in films and possible roles, which later made them uncomfortable and fearful. These allegations have sparked outrage on campus, especially because the institution is meant to be a safe space exclusively for women.

Students further highlighted the vulnerable nature of the campus itself. Spread across a vast area, the college premises include dense trees and forest-like sections where visibility is extremely low. They allege that basic lighting along internal roads was either insufficient or completely absent, making several areas unsafe. According to them, incidents occurring in secluded parts of the campus could easily go unnoticed.

The controversy has also drawn attention to the historic Darbar Hall, a British-era structure that has long been a preferred location for court and period scenes in Telugu cinema and several major Indian films. While the college management reportedly earns significant revenue by renting out this heritage site for film shoots, students allege that the money has not been reinvested into improving campus infrastructure, lighting, or security, leaving their safety compromised.

Anger has also been directed at the college administration. Students accuse the principal and vice-principal of responding only with verbal assurances while failing to implement concrete safety measures. Some students allege that attempts to raise their voices were met with pressure, warnings, or subtle threats to remain silent, adding to their distress. They also claim that media access to the campus has been restricted, limiting independent coverage of their concerns.

As of now, the Parashakti film unit has not issued an official statement addressing the allegations. The incident has reignited a broader debate about women’s safety during film shoots on educational campuses, the accountability of production teams, and the responsibility of institutions to prioritise student security over commercial gains.

For many students, the controversy underscores a painful contradiction - a film named Parashakti , representing divine feminine strength, unfolding amid allegations that real women were left feeling unsafe within their own campus.