Bollywood is infamous for its ‘casting couch’ and the fact that it exists is no secret either.
‘Casting couch’ essentially refers to the practice in the film fraternity, Bollywood or Hollywood, where it is understood as, if an aspiring actor wants a particular role in a film, they are asked to perform sexual favours in exchange for it.
Several online movements like #TimeIsUp and #MeToo movements shed light on how deep the rot in the industry is. They were, to a large extent also successful in getting women across industries to call out their perpetrators.
Here are some of the big actors in the Indian film fraternity who spoke about their experiences of the ‘casting couch’
Neena Gupta
Actor Neena Gupta who recently released her autobiography titled 'Sach Kahu Toh' revealed that even though she never faced any casting couch experience in Bollywood, but once a 'big-shot' producer from the South Indian film industry had asked her to 'spend the night' with him to exchange for a role.
Kangana Ranaut
In 2020, in an interview with Times Now, Kangana Ranaut said, she won't generalize that every actor faces the ‘casting couch’, but added it has happened with almost every woman she has met. Kangana said whether they are A-list, B-list, or the biggest superstars, the expectation from a girl has always been to behave like a wife on sets.
Radhika Apte
Talking about Bollywood's dark secret, actress Radhika Apte said, she once got a call and someone told her that 'they're doing this film in Bollywood and want to have a meeting with her, but asked her if she be okay sleeping with that person?' Radhika added that she laughed and said no, before telling the person to go to hell.
Chitrangada Singh
Admitting that the casting couch did exist in the entertainment industry, actress Chitrangada Singh said, there are people like this everywhere. Right from her modelling days to Bollywood, she has encountered them multiple times. She added that it has happened to her as well, but also said that in Bollywood, no one can force you. Chitrangada feels, there is enough space and respect for everyone and their choices.
Tisca Chopra
In a session with Kommune India in 2016, Tisca Chopra opened up about her experience of the 'casting couch'. Tisca recalled how a filmmaker tried to take advantage of her by offering her a film. She said, he was 'sitting in a satin maroon lungi kurta' in a hotel room waiting for her, but she managed to dampen his plans by colluding with the director's wife, son and young crew members of the film.
Surveen Chawla
In an interview with PinkVilla in 2019, the 'Sacred Games' star talked about the casting couch, and revealed that she faced the menace thrice in the south film industry. She also revealed a recent incident where she barged out of his office after a filmmaker wanted to see how her cleavage looks, and the other one wanted to see how her thighs looked.