India is the world’s leading film producer. Together, Bollywood, Kollywood, Tollywood, and other regional film industries create more films than any other country in the world. With each passing year, the Indian cinema industry has witnessed a slew of fresh faces.
Those with a natural aptitude to act well have always been able to draw in crowds at the most prestigious events. Actors and actresses have made a name for themselves as great celebrities solely due to their skill.
Well, it doesn’t matter where or when you were born; if you’re cut out for acting, you’ll be sure to succeed in the film industry. On the negative side, it is difficult to make a living in the film industry. Female models may be required to listen to the director’s comments in order to land a role in a film.
Several times, directors have informed women that they must perform nasty things in order to earn a part. Some directors have gone so far as to beg female models for sexual favours.
What Exactly Is Casting Couch In The Film Industry?
The casting couch is something that has been going on behind the scenes for a long time, and it is not a new notion; in fact, it dates back to the dawn of civilization. It was only lately that people became aware of it. In addition, some women have been harassed in the film industry.
The casting couch is a technique in which a job candidate is asked for sexual favours in exchange for a position in the entertainment business, particularly in acting jobs. Originally, the term “casting couch” referred to actual sofas at the casting office. In the United States, this technique is considered unlawful.
Although the Bollywood film business appears to be a fascinating topic of debate, there are countless stories that remain hidden behind the scenes and are never revealed.
What Is Casting Couch In Bollywood Industry
Not only in Bollywood, but in many kinds of sectors, there is a casting couch culture. Situations such as female workers being given priority over more competent persons for promotions and other perks at work might be linked to the relevant issue. The media exclusively focuses on the glam industries because of the high degree of celebrity connected with those engaged.
The problem is pretty complex. Not only novices and young girls attempting to break into the field are targeted, but so are top-talented women, and many men have had casting couch experience. The #metoo campaign was sparked by allegations made by renowned actresses such as Angelina Jolie and Ashley Judd. Actors like Ayushmann Khurrana and Ranveer Singh have spoken up about their experiences in Bollywood.
Rather than debating the issue’s morality or assigning blame to actors, producers, directors, or anybody else involved, as the media frequently does, it would be more vital to consider solutions to the problem.
Casting Couch Victims In Bollywood In Hindi
In Bollywood mainly many newbies who arrive with aspirations of becoming a great actor or actress become stuck with casting counts and suffer the emotional and physical anguish of the casting couch throughout their lives and careers.
Celebrities have recently been speaking out about the subject and being upfront about it, shedding light on Bollywood’s dark side. Here we will provide the list of celebrities who came out and shared their experiences in Bollywood with the world.
- Prachi Desai
The actor of Kasam Seh, a renowned daily serial, recently described the casting couch she encountered when she first entered the field. She revealed in a recent interview that she was solicited for sexual favours in order to get cast and that it was a “huge picture,” to which she politely declined. Despite her refusal of the offer, the director contacted her again, but she maintained her position.
“I think very straightforward approaches were made to get cast in a specific project, a huge film, but I have openly said no,” Prachi told Bollywood Bubble. Even after the director phoned me and I told him no, I still told him I wasn’t interested in his film.”
- Tisca Chopra
Tisca Chopra, well known for her part in the film Taare Zameen Par, has also starred in a number of short films available on YouTube and OTT platforms. Chopra recently detailed her experience with Bollywood’s iconic “casting couch” in an interview with Kommune India.
Tisca, like any other young actor in Bollywood, struggled much in her early days. Following the release and subsequent failure of her first film, Chopra recalled how she received an unexpected call from a well-known producer-director.
“But you know, choosing to make a film with him is like consenting to be his pet squeeze for the duration of the shoot,” her friends said later when they recounted the director’s stories. Is it good for you?” Chopra managed the situation effectively.
- Ankita Lokhande
Another well-known television personality Ankita Lokhande, who rose to fame for her role as Archana on Pavitra Rishta and made her Bollywood debut in the film Manikarnika, also faced the casting couch. She reported that the first incidence occurred when she was a child. She was urged to ‘compromise’ when she auditioned for a South Indian film, but she was adamant on breaking into the profession solely on the basis of her skills.
She was explicitly urged to “sleep with the producer,” to which she replied, “I believe your producer wants a female to sleep with, not a really talented female to work with.” The producer then regretted his actions, but she made it obvious that she is not interested in the offer.
- Ayushmaan Khurana
As Andhadhundh actor Ayushmaan Khurana recently acknowledged, sexual harassment affects both men and women in Bollywood. He is known for films that address social stigmas and taboos including homosexuality, baldness, and gender standards. From his early days in the industry, he’s shared a story about an experience on the casting couch. As per reports, the actor “politely declined the offer.”
“A casting director told me, ‘If you show me your tool, I’ll give you the lead part,” he stated in an interview. I politely refused his offer after informing him that I am a heterosexual man.” He was also rejected for criticising the false methodology of the solo test,’ in which 50 actors appeared out of nowhere, contradicting the test’s goal.
- Ranveer Singh
Despite the fact that he is now at the top of his game, Ranveer admits to being a victim of the casting couch in his early days. It’s something I’ve personally witnessed, he says.
“Jo clever hai, jo sexy hai, wo aage nikal jaata hai,” the director stated when he invited me to his Andheri house. He didn’t even glance at my portfolio, and he sobbed like a jilted lover when I said no to his requests. I found out afterwards that he does it to everyone.”
- Kangana Ranaut
Kangana Ranaut, the feisty actress, has had a difficult time in Bollywood. The Rangoon actress was in a violent relationship with actor Aditya Pancholi before her big break. She stated that Pancholi physically assaulted her when she was 17, and that she escaped the stifling relationship after much struggle.
Later in life, the star’s path to stardom was not simple either. She has encountered and spoken out against the casting couch in the business. Kangana Ranaut said that a unit member in the film “Tanu Weds Manu” urged her to have sex after a meeting when the audition was done.
- Kalki Koechlin
Kalki Koechlin admitted that she, too, has faced the problem of casting couch, but that she was able to overcome it. I exclaim. It tried to ensnare me in its grasp, but since I am slick, I always managed to free myself. I moved away the moment I became uneasy!, Kalki shares.
The bottom line is that no matter how hard a lousy performer works her way up the casting couch, she will never be able to sustain a career. She’s still a lousy actress! The casting couch is not the way to success for any aspiring actor.”
- Radhika Apte
Radhika Apte has made a good name in the Bollywood industry with her talent. She has also carved out a unique niche for herself in the South Indian cinema business. Apart from Hindi films, she has also worked in Tamil, Bengali, Telugu, and Malayalam films.
In 2018, she also appeared in Akshay Kumar’s famous flick Padman. In the South Indian film business, Radhika Apte has claimed to suffer from a casting couch. An actor offered her a role in a Bollywood film, but she was asked to make some compromises for the role.
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