Unveiling the dark side of Bollywood, several celebrities have spoken out against the practice of casting couch, exposing instances where individuals were asked for sexual favors in exchange for roles in the film industry. Here, we highlight ten Bollywood stars who courageously shared their experiences, shedding light on the challenges they faced.

1. Ranveer Singh: Breaking the Silence

Ranveer Singh, the dynamic Bollywood actor, revealed his first-hand experience with the casting couch. In an interview, he acknowledged its existence, stating that he had personally encountered it. Singh’s bold stance against such exploitation reflects a growing awareness within the industry.

2. Geetika Tyagi: A Victim’s Voice

Geetika Tyagi, an actress, found herself entangled in the web of casting couch when she began her career. Accusing Subhashish Kapoor, she brought attention to the issue. Despite the controversies surrounding their interactions, Tyagi’s courage in speaking out resonated with many.

3. Mamta Kulkarni: Standing Strong

Mamta Kulkarni, a renowned actress, faced accusations against director Rajkumar Santoshi. During the shooting of “China Gate,” she stood firm against compromising her integrity. While rumors circulated, Kulkarni’s resilience became a testament to the challenges prevalent in the industry.

4. Payal Rohatgi: Unveiling Truth on Reality TV

During the Bigg Boss reality show in 2011, Payal Rohatgi exposed an incident involving director Dibakar Banerjee. The incident, happening in Shanghai, gained significant attention, sparking conversations about the exploitation that sometimes occurs behind the scenes.

5. Kangana Ranaut: A Bold Perspective

Known for her boldness, Kangana Ranaut shared her thoughts on the casting couch. Refusing to succumb to such pressures, she emphasized the importance of common sense, stating that believing roles could be obtained through such means is naive.

6. Tisca Chopra: Supply and Demand

Tisca Chopra, a popular actress and MAMI film festival jury member, offered insights into the casting couch dynamics. Acknowledging the oversupply of actors compared to demand, she highlighted the challenges faced by aspirants. Chopra, herself a victim, devised a cunning plan to escape such situations.

7. Surveen Chawla: Sharing a Painful Experience

Actress Surveen Chawla, known for her role in “Hate Story 2,” bravely revealed her personal encounter with casting couch. Experiencing it in the South Indian film industry, Chawla’s openness shed light on the pervasive nature of such incidents.

8. Ayushmann Khurrana: Refusing to Compromise

Before establishing himself as an actor, Ayushmann Khurrana faced demands for sexual favors during his struggling days. Refusing to compromise, Khurrana acknowledged the reality of casting couch in the film industry.

9. Sunny Leone: Battling Stereotypes

Sunny Leone, despite her background in the adult entertainment industry, stood against casting couch proposals. Her refusal challenged societal assumptions and emphasized the need to break free from narrow-minded perspectives.

10. Suchitra Krishnamoorthi: Narrowly Escaping Advances

In 2009, Suchitra Krishnamoorthi shared her experience of narrowly escaping sexual advances from a producer during a casting session. Her blog post highlighted the challenges faced by actors, even when attempting to pursue their careers professionally.

Conclusion:

While the casting couch remains a dark aspect of the film industry, these Bollywood celebrities have played a crucial role in bringing the issue to light. Their courage to speak out and share personal experiences contributes to an ongoing conversation about creating a safer and more ethical environment within Bollywood.