Singer Swagatha S Krishnan, known for her soulful contributions to Tamil cinema including Yeno Pennae from Ispade Rajavum Irudhaya Raniyum and Kadhal Kanmani from Bachelor, has come forward with a deeply disturbing account of sexual abuse that she says forced her to leave Chennai and relocate to Rishikesh.

In a candid interview with Sivasankari Talks, Swagatha described what she calls "a very brutal sexual abuse" that took place inside a music director's studio — a space she once considered safe. "It was a soundproof room… even if I screamed, no one could hear me," she recalled, adding that the room was locked and equipped with CCTV cameras, including hidden ones. She has chosen not to name her alleged abuser at this stage.

According to Swagatha, the alleged abuser recorded the act and later used those recordings to intimidate and threaten her. She described him as a "serial abuser" who followed a calculated pattern — first building trust, presenting himself as a mentor, creating emotional dependency, and then exploiting it. "He targets independent women… first borrows money, then delays paying them, and slowly takes control," she said.

What deepened her distress further was discovering she was not alone. She claimed to have received messages from multiple other women who experienced similar abuse following the exact same pattern. She also made a disturbing allegation that secretly recording women — and even children visiting the studio — was treated "like a hobby," describing it as a form of voyeurism she witnessed firsthand.

The aftermath proved equally painful. Swagatha said she was shamed, falsely accused of theft, and discredited within the industry — with even the alleged abuser's family participating in tarnishing her reputation. "They twisted the whole story," she said.

She spoke with raw honesty about her emotional state during that period — describing days of complete isolation, severe distress, and a deeply troubled relationship with her own body. "I felt like the parts of my body he touched shouldn't exist," she said, adding that therapy and her sister's unwavering support were crucial to her recovery.

Despite consulting lawyers, she chose not to file a formal complaint at the time, citing fear and lack of support. However, Swagatha now says she is resolute about pursuing legal action — not out of revenge, but to ensure no other woman faces the same fate. "I will definitely do it legally… so no other woman goes through this," she said firmly.

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual abuse, harassment, or is in distress, please reach out to the following helplines — all calls are confidential:

Tamil Nadu

• Women Helpline — 181
• Chennai Police Women Safety Wing — 044-28592750

National

• Women Helpline — 1091
• National Commission for Women — 7827170170
• Cyber Crime Helpline (for reporting secret recordings) — 1930
• Police Emergency — 100

Mental Health Support

• iCall — 9152987821
• Vandrevala Foundation — 1860-2662-345 (24/7)