Casting couch has been a serious topic of discussion and debate in the Bollywood industry. While most celebrities and industry insiders shy away from talking about it, a few have actually been strong enough to come out and address the existence of it. One such actress who recently spoke about facing a casting couch incident is none other than, Aditi Rao Hydari. It was during an interview with Sunday Guardian that the talented actress recounted the incident that she faced a while ago.
Here’s what Aditi revealed:
I have also been in this situation, but I was able to stand up to it, make my decision and move away. I did lose work and I cried about it. I didn’t regret it but I cried about it because I felt so upset that this was true and this is how girls are treated. I was like, how dare someone speak to me like that.
Talking about the effect it had on her career, she said:
For about eight months I didn’t get work, but I feel that decision made me stronger in my intention about the kind of work I wanted to do.
She also encouraged artists to empower themselves instead of giving in:
It’s about power play in the industry, and you should nip it in the bud. What is the fear? That you won’t get work? If you are talented, the right people will call you.
Besides Aditi, there are many other celebrities who have spoken about casting couch over the years, including Kangana Ranaut, Ranveer Singh, Kalki Koechlin, and Radhika Apte.
Here’s what they had to say:
Kangana Ranaut
Fortunately, I never had to go through the casting couch. Honestly, I feel somebody has to be really dumb to think that they’d get a role for sleeping around. And I have never been so dumb — not even at the age of 17 when I started my career. People should use their common sense. It’s stupid if you actually believe someone who tells you that he or she is giving you a role only if you please him or her.
Kalki Koechlin
I must say, of course, it exists! It did try and entangle me in its grip but I am slippery, I always managed to get out of it. The minute I felt uncomfortable, I walked away! The crux of the matter is that a bad actor, however much she works her way through the casting couch, will never sustain. She still remains a bad actor! The casting couch is not the answer to any aspiring actor’s route to success.
Ranveer Singh
Casting couch is a very real thing. I have experienced it first-hand. When I said ‘no’ (to his demands), he cried like a jilted lover. Later, I got to know that he does it to everyone.
Radhika Apte
I know a lot of people who have gone through it; I genuinely haven’t gone through it. See, I’m fortunate that I’ve never met people who have asked me to… Oh, once I got a call and they said ‘they’re doing this film in Bollywood and I want you to have a meeting with them. But would you be okay sleeping with that person?’ And I laughed! I said you’re so funny, you’re very funny and I said no I’m not. Ask him to go to hell.
Kudos to all of them for coming forward and talking about this evil and its existence in the industry.