casting couch

Late actor Amjad Khan’s son Shadaab Khan has made shocking revelations about the darker side of the film industry, recalling how his father stood up against exploitation, withheld wages and alleged casting couch culture during his time as president of the Cine Artists Association. Shadaab admitted that being the son of the legendary actor was “a total disadvantage” in today’s industry and said the film world has drastically changed from what it once was.

In a candid reflection, Kritika Kamra opens up about her turbulent beginnings in the entertainment industry, sharing a harrowing experience with the casting couch that she narrowly escaped. She points out the ongoing discrimination faced by television actors in Bollywood, referring to a subtle yet significant divide. Read on to know more in detail.

Madalsa Sharma, who is best known for playing Kavya in the hit TV show Anupamaa, recently opened up about an unsettling experience from the early days of her film career. The actress, who is married to Mahaakshay Chakraborty, son of veteran actor Mithun Chakraborty, recalled how a ‘renowned filmmaker’ once made an inappropriate request during a meeting when she was just 19.

Actress Daisy Shah recounted a distressing early career casting experience in Mumbai where a filmmaker from the South made her uncomfortable with unwanted physical contact. She immediately chose to leave the meeting, emphasizing the importance of not meeting individuals alone. Shah also addressed perceptions of her career being solely reliant on Salman Khan, asserting her own hard work is crucial.

Pune recently came alive with Rada 2026, an exhilarating celebration of Marathi pop culture presented by BhaDiPa. This lively two-day festival brought together a diverse mix of creators, musicians, and actors, featuring electrifying performances in Marathi rap, hilarious comedy skits, and captivating poetry that captivated thousands of young attendees.

Rajeev Khandelwal ignites casting couch debate, saying exploitation persists despite talks. He faced it early but resisted, notes no crime drop, and views victims' choices through vulnerability lens - "You can't claim exploitation if seeking easy way out."

The Aspirants actor speaks on Northeast representation, industry bias, and chasing her dreams in Mumbai.

… Says actor and theatre artiste Navajit Narayanan, who recently revealed that a prominent Mollywood director sought sexual favours in return for a role in his movie

Kunickaa Sadanand entered Bollywood with the dream of becoming a leading lady. Back then, her looks were widely talked about, but she mostly ended up playing supporting and negative roles on screen. The actress has admitted that breaking into heroine territory wasn’t easy, and she lost out on several projects because of the casting couch.

AMMA president and Member of Parliament, actor Innocent’s comment on casting couch in Mollywood, in reply to a question, that ‘if the women are bad, they may share the bed’, has once again brought out the insensitive attitude towards women in the entertainment industry.

Sheetal Maulik, known for her role in Meri Bhavya Life, recounts a disturbing casting couch experience from her early career at the age of 15 or 16. She naively agreed to 'compromise,' misunderstanding the producer's intentions, leading to a shocking realization. Despite this, she persevered, emphasizing the importance of talent, hard work, and honesty in the industry.

Vichitra opened up about her casting couch experience while she was shooting for a Telugu film in 2001 starring a top Telugu actor.

Sudhanshu Pandey, known for his role in Anupamaa, bravely shared personal stories on the casting couch, childhood trauma, and his music career, emphasizing unwavering principles.

Former actress and model Anu Aggarwal, who is best known for her breakout role in Aashiqui, recently spoke candidly about her experiences in the film industry, shedding light on her personal journey, professional growth, and the casting couch conversation that continues to stir debate in Bollywood and beyond.

Soundarya Sharma, who debuted in 'Ranchi Diaries', opened up about the casting couch in Bollywood, stating that while she acknowledges its existence, she has been fortunate to have only positive experiences. She emphasized that individual perspectives shape experiences and that her optimistic outlook has contributed to her success in the industry.

Surveen Chawla revealed the emotional challenges she faced due to the prevalent casting couch culture in the film industry. She recounted losing roles for refusing to compromise her values, leading to a period of disillusionment and self-doubt. The actress even contemplated leaving the industry altogether, feeling defeated by the constant pressure and rejections.

It seems Krushna's sister Arti Singh has a difference of opinion on the casting couch controversy.

Actress Honey Rose discussed the casting couch issue in the Malayalam film industry, emphasizing the fear newcomers experience. She highlighted that exploitation often starts over phone calls and firm responses might lead to fewer opportunities. Honey Rose also noted that men typically don’t face such challenges. Recently, she filed a police complaint against businessman Boby Chemmanur for making derogatory remarks about her. She asserted her faith in the strength of Indian law against such issues.

Indian television actor Vihan Verma recently revealed a harrowing experience he faced as a 17-year-old aspiring actor. He recounted an incident where he was propositioned during an audition, leaving him terrified. Despite the traumatic experience, Vihan persevered, refusing to compromise his values for success.

If you are talented and deserve the role, you will get it, on your terms

Anupamaa fame actor Sudhanshu Pandey, currently seen in the reality show The Traitors, has spoken openly about facing the casting couch in the film industry. In a recent interview with Gallata India, the actor shared a personal account of being propositioned early in his career.

Popular Bhojpuri actress Poonam Dubey recently made a shocking revelation about facing the casting couch during her struggling days.

In a recent media interaction, the actress was quizzed on the on-going issue of casting couch in Telugu cinema. Commenting on the sensitive matter, she said that women often face sexual harassment in their respective fields and quoted that they should rely on talent and hard work alone, while striving to acquire great heights.

Urvi Shetty described a harrowing casting couch experience during an audition where she was asked to 'compromise' in a bedroom setting with candles. After refusing and fleeing the scene, she was pursued by a car, with a man trying to forcefully abduct her. Urvi escaped, later using her platform to inspire others against predatory behavior in the industry.

Poonam Pandey recently shared insights into her entertainment industry journey, addressing sensitive topics. Speaking with Bollywood Bubble, she stated that she never faced casting couch situations, attributing it to her strong personality. While acknowledging daily struggles, Poonam credits the media for her public image, accepting both positive and negative attention.

Radhika recalled the horrors of being offered a role in a Bollywood film, on the condition of being 'okay sleeping with that person'.

Surveen Chawla candidly discussed her past experiences with the casting couch in the entertainment industry, noting a positive shift post-MeToo with the rise of ethical casting practices and stricter laws. She credits casting agencies for prioritizing talent and skills, contributing to a safer, more inclusive environment on sets for everyone, emphasizing the importance of protocols and intimacy coordinators.