Bollywood's casting couch exposed: Sex today, film role tomorrow:

By Asira Tarannum and Sonali Joshi Pitale

Bare some flesh to land a meaty role this clandestine arrangement between casting agents and aspiring actors is one of Bollywood’s worst-kept secrets. Trading of sexual favours by an applicant, apprentice, or subordinate, to a superior, or prospective employer, in return for entry into an occupation, or for career advancement, is a malady existent in every domain. But, there’s a reason the term ‘casting couch’ originated in the motion picture industry.

Bollywood's casting couch exposed: Sex today, film role tomorrow:

By Asira Tarannum and Sonali Joshi Pitale

Once we had decided to expose the corrupt casting coordinators of B-town, our first big task was to find the ones who would buy our story and try to help us land that big break in Bollywood. The stumbling block was that most of the agents we called, wanted us to send our photographs, and would then meet us if they saw it fit. It was taxing to convince them to get together without the required pictures (‘semi-nude’, as one of the coordinators put it bluntly; another asked for a ‘bikini pic’.). We decided to play the damsels in distress and cajoled them to meet us to suggest the kind of photos that we must send out.

Bollywood's casting couch exposed: Sex today, film role tomorrow:

By Asira Tarannum and Sonali Joshi Pitale

This trick worked, and we got seven of them to rendezvous. Incidentally, the first person, Piyush, whom one of the reporters contacted, had the latter’s number stored in his phone, identifying her as a journalist working with this paper. The perils of technology.

Bollywood's casting couch exposed: Sex today, film role tomorrow:

By Asira Tarannum and Sonali Joshi Pitale

Casting agent: Vijay Rawal After a conversation over the phone, Vijay Rawal agreed to meet around 3 pm at Bhaidas Hall, Vile Parle. Rawal is considered to be a popular coordinator among aspiring TV actors.

Vijay Rawal

Soon after one of the reporters entered the auditorium, he hurriedly beckoned her to follow him towards the back entry to the stage. In the corridor were some green rooms, and Vijay ushered her into one. The reporter noticed that there were some girls sitting around already. Vijay referred to each of them as ‘baby’.

Minutes later, the reporter was taken to another empty room, and Rawal sat really close to her. The reporter introduced herself as Neha Sharma from Gwalior.

Bollywood's casting couch exposed: Sex today, film role tomorrow:

By Asira Tarannum and Sonali Joshi Pitale

The first thing that Vijay told her was, “You do know that if you want to get into acting, you will have to make compromises. If you do that, you will have a bright future.” Then he went on to counsel the reporter to dress in ‘sexy’ clothes, which reveal her vital stats. “Your body is gifted by God, but you still need to wear sexy clothes when you come to meet me. You have to make money first before getting into acting,” were his words. Then he went on to suggest the size of the bra the reporter should be wearing. “Even if you are only 30 per cent up to the mark in auditions, the remaining 70 per cent will be taken care of, if you compromise. Just spread your legs and see how things happen,” he preached. After that Vijay, went on to boast about his friends who like to splurge on women. “Some of them have enough money to send flight tickets for you to go wherever they are, if you are interested,” he bragged. Then, he said that he wouldn’t mind spending a bit on sexy lingerie for the reporter.

Bollywood's casting couch exposed: Sex today, film role tomorrow:

By Asira Tarannum and Sonali Joshi Pitale

By this time, he had clearly forgotten about the matter of film offers, and was only concentrating on telling the reporter how she should be servicing his clients. When the reporter asked about the kind of money one can make through these ‘compromises’, he said it ranged from Rs 15,000 to Rs 40,000. He quickly added that he charges 15 per cent commission, but with her he could make an exception, if she let him ‘enjoy’ her. When the reporter insisted on information about acting offers, his parting shot was, “We get clients regularly, so don’t worry, we will make enough money. Acting will also happen later.” That night he called up the reporter and asked her if she was free the next day, as he had already spoken to some clients and they wanted to see her pictures. The reporter met him again the following day at a coffee shop in Andheri. He told her that he already had clients lined up for her, and that she should start working the next day. No films or filmmakers were mentioned.

Bollywood's casting couch exposed: Sex today, film role tomorrow:

By Asira Tarannum and Sonali Joshi Pitale

Casting gent: MayoorMayoor, who is also an assistant director, said that he recommends new girls and boys whenever they approach him for work. The reporter met him at Café Coffee Day at Fun Republic around 4:30 pm. When the reporter mentioned her apprehensions, he patiently explained to her, “Don’t be tense. Mayoor I am not that type of a person. If you can act, then you don’t have to think about it. There are three stages of casting: if you come to me, I will suggest your name to my friend, who will further recommend your name after an audition. Then, in the second audition, if I know the director, I will push, and tell him that you are suitable for the role. Finally, if the director is agreeable, he will help you clear the last audition.”

Bollywood's casting couch exposed: Sex today, film role tomorrow:

By Asira Tarannum and Sonali Joshi Pitale

I am not that type of a person. If you can act, then you don’t have to think about it. There are three stages of casting: if you come to me, I will suggest your name to my friend, who will further recommend your name after an audition. Then, in the second audition, if I know the director, I will push, and tell him that you are suitable for the role. Finally, if the director is agreeable, he will help you clear the last audition.” When asked about compromises one should expect, he said, “I am not saying it doesn’t happen. It does, but it completely depends on you. If you are willing to do it, then nobody is going to stop you, because you are a mature person. I am nobody to say that this is right or wrong. I have met girls who were ready for it, and I told them that they could go ahead and try their luck.

Bollywood's casting couch exposed: Sex today, film role tomorrow:

By Asira Tarannum and Sonali Joshi Pitale

Some of them slept around with directors and got work, but some didn’t. However, I have met some girls who came back to me, saying a certain person was asking for favours. I told them that I would handle it, and if the next time they came across such a person, then they just have to say that Mayoor will let them know, and walk out of the audition. I am here to work and not put my mind into all this. I don’t make any propositions like that.” -

Bollywood's casting couch exposed: Sex today, film role tomorrow:

By Asira Tarannum and Sonali Joshi Pitale

Casting agent: Joe

When we called Joe, he came across as a professional, and insisted that the reporter send her portfolio pictures before he met her. When the reporter asked if she would have to compromise to get roles, he snapped back, saying, “Who told you all this rubbish? Such things don’t happen; it is all nonsense. You just have to send me photographs, and if I have a requirement, I will let you know.”

Bollywood's casting couch exposed: Sex today, film role tomorrow:

By Asira Tarannum and Sonali Joshi Pitale

Casting agent: Advin MasseyAdvin first called the reporter to his office in Lokhandwala, but then later agreed to have a cuppa at a coffee shop. Initially, he was not prepared to meet without seeing any photographs, but later relented. Advin Massey Soon after meeting, Advin told this reporter, “Sab tarah ka kaam hota hai yahaan pe. Send me your pictures first, and then I can take things forward. Also, are you OK with compromising, because, not everywhere, but at some places, we get such queries? So, I need to know.” When the reporter asked him who were the people who asked for compromises, he said, “I take care of television and shoots. So, there are times when assistant directors or creative directors ask this. If you are ready to sleep with them, they might consider you. For instance, if four girls have auditioned for one role, you will have the upper hand, if you compromise, and it helps.” He showed the reporter photographs of a few girls in bikinis, and said, “Go home, wear a bikini, click a picture, and send it to me. It’s simple, and I have a shoot coming up on March 1. Let me see you do that bikini shoot. Also send me your vital stats,” were his clear instructions -

Bollywood's casting couch exposed: Sex today, film role tomorrow:

By Asira Tarannum and Sonali Joshi Pitale

Casting agent: Mukesh ThakurMukesh sounded courteous over the phone and asked the reporter why she wanted to get into acting. Mukesh Thakur When the reporter told him that she hadn’t done any auditions and was only meeting people, he said, with what seemed like genuine concern, “You seem to be from a good family. Don’t get lost in all this. Trust yourself, and meet the right people. Our job is to cast; later what happens between you and the director or the producer is not our concern.” Casting agent: Shama KhanThe reporter spoke to her over the phone, and Shama made no bones about what she was expecting. “I hope you understand how things work in this industry, and you know what I mean, right? I need to give you tips on how to deal with clients. I will send you to my friends, and you have to take things forward from there. You know what will make them happy.”

Should Bollywood stop being in denial mode about the casting couch? -

Bollywood's casting couch exposed: Sex today, film role tomorrow:

By Asira Tarannum and Sonali Joshi Pitale

Director Ali Abbas Zafar, who recently directed the Ranveer Singh-Arjun Kapoor starrer Gunday, strongly panned the casting couch phenomenon. Director Ali Abbas Zafar “It’s a glamour-driven industry. No matter where you come from, everyone arrives with big dreams to make it here. As a part of the film fraternity, I condemn the whole idea of the casting couch, which is not right, and is about using power in the wrong way. The most important point is the way things happen here should be legalised. Even the casting industry needs to go through a legalised process. You never know who comes with what intentions, and somebody can push you into a corner. Even for casting, things should be on paper and documented in the proper way. In our country, everything regarding the male-female relationship is under wraps. It’s about time we grow over it, and make sure things happen the right way. Any kind of exploitation is wrong.”

Bollywood's casting couch exposed: Sex today, film role tomorrow:

By Asira Tarannum and Sonali Joshi Pitale

Director Sudhir Mishra said, “No good director will ever cast for the wrong reasons. As a director, my job is to make the film work on screen. Sometimes, real relationships may happen between two people. Director Sudhir Mishra But, in my case, I am here to tell a story and to cast the right actors. Directors are pretty clear about the fact that they want to get the casting right. All I would suggest to actors is that they should work in theatre and do a lot of short films. If you know the work, you will be found. Be a little careful, and you will be all right. I don’t know about some shady things happening somewhere. That’s the reason I mostly work with female casting directors, and I only meet the new actors at places of work for reading sessions, or on the sets. I can only vouch for good directors, and we are here to do good work.”

Bollywood's casting couch exposed: Sex today, film role tomorrow:

By Asira Tarannum and Sonali Joshi Pitale

Director Sanjay Gupta said, “There are all kinds of people around. It’s up to the girls and boys to look after themselves. If you are ready to get into bed with someone, then be certain that you cannot get work like that. Director Sanjay Gupta People who want to work with you because of your talent will not take you to bed. I work with people whom I know; I rarely work with new talent. It is very important to get the casting right, and of course, there are some people who are here for bu***hit reasons too.” - Inputs by Gaurav Dubey; Pics/Nimesh Dave, Satyajit Desai

Casting Couch In Bollywood Is Much More Than What You Think It Is:

The desperateness on one end, and surplus of power & talent on the other end has led to the ‘casting couch’ in the film industry. But the fact that casting couch happens at various levels has always been an unknown truth as hardly anyone opens up with their casting experiences. The truth is usually suffocated under the sheets.

According to Tisca Chopra, “It’s a question of supply and demand. The supply of actors is far greater than their demand and so the directors and producers demand something extra for giving chances to aspirants, I have never heard of anybody raping anyone.”

Casting Couch In Bollywood Is Much More Than What You Think It Is:

Tisca Chopra recalled an incident where she “called the bluff” of a filmmaker who had such intentions, Chopra said she “devised a cunning plan and managed to escape from the situation”. ”You call their bluff and say I am better than this, ‘I can do this on my own merit’.” She added

Casting Couch In Bollywood Is Much More Than What You Think It Is:

It ain’t just the actresses who have to face the casting couch, aspiring male actors too get trapped.

Now Bollywood has number of known & closet gay filmmakers & actors in addition to number of female directors & producers. There are young good-looking boys who claim to have met big directors and producers and bent to their wishes. They get hopeful of meaty roles, some do benefit but how the others are disheartened is another story in itself. The torment is harsh on boys as well. The embarrassment of people in the industry knowing their reality depresses them to even the extent of giving up on their dream to make it big in this bad world of Bollywood.

Casting Couch In Bollywood Is Much More Than What You Think It Is:

Now an A- lister, when actor Ranveer Singh was struggling, he was propositioned despite being from a family with filmy & finance connections. He exclaimed, “A coordinator called me for an audition where three gentlemen directly asked for favours. They kept using words like darling, tu toh bada sexy hai.” After rushing out, he did a bit of sleuthing to find out about the coordinator. “No one seemed to know this coordinator. A friend told me that such incidents usually happened in coffee shops, where boys or girls are asked to come to the washroom,” adds Ranveer.

Tisca chopra asserts,“ Much to my relief there is an equal number of gay directors, so now it’s an even playing field. Guys get accosted as much as women do and it’s your choice to say yes or no.”

But ask any struggler in Bollywood and he or she will talk about touts claiming to be casting directors and coordinators moving around in offices of production houses.

Casting Couch In Bollywood Is Much More Than What You Think It Is:

(Source – Mumbai Mirror)

An old-timer says, “There was a time when this director was making number of films in a year and almost every aspiring actor, actress or writer came knocking at his door. Casting coordinators and assistant directors would take advantage of them. They would openly tell the newcomers we will get you a role in the film but you will have to compromise. Some did manage to get work but most failed, despite the barter.”

And in terms of the most loved to hate director, Ram Gopal Varma, “Casting exists, so does the couch!” A classic statement..

If you know of any casting couch related story, please do not hesitate to tell your tale here.

Disclaimer – All pictures including the cover picture are for indicative purpose only and are not related to this story.

The Truth behind the Bollywood Casting Couch

What does it take to be a movie star in B-town? Is talent enough, or do you have to go the ‘extra mile’ to win that audition. DESIblitz goes into the heart of Bollywood and reveals the brazen phenomenon of the casting couch.

The Truth behind the Bollywood Casting Couch

It is not easy to break into big-time Bollywood if you are not born into a powerful and influential star family. Therefore, aspiring starlets feel the need to develop connections and get themselves a ‘sugar daddy’ in the business who will smoothen their ride to the top.With desperate aspirants willing to almost throw themselves at their mercy, Bollywood bigwigs are not shy of exploiting the scenario or these junior artistes.Indian rapper and singer Hard Kaur also exclusively told DESIblitz that she was approached upon first entering the Bollywood industry.

The Truth behind the Bollywood Casting Couch

According to insiders, things have only become more rampant of late because of the willingness of starlets to give in. Actor Sambhavna Seth says: “Casting couch has always been there.“Earlier, it was the man who was to blame, but now even the girls are ready to go to any length to get work. By putting naked pictures of themselves online what else are they asking for?”Funnily enough, even male wannabes are bearing the brunt. Rakhi Sawant reveals: “Girls in the industry have been exploited since the beginning, but now even the men in the industry are facing this. It is sad that we have to live in this kalyug.”Model-actress Maushmi Udeshi is candid about her experiences in B-town: “Unless you are born with a silver spoon in your mouth and belong to one of those powerful star families which have a great influence on Bollywood, people tend to take you for granted.“Casting couch was always a part of the film industry and it’s very much prevalent even today!”The Indian media has played a major role in revealing instances of the casting couch in B-town. In a sensational sting operation in 2005, India TV trapped famous Bollywood baddie Shakti Kapoor and TV star Aman Verma.They were caught on tape making advances to a starlet planted by the channel. Shakti Kapoor defended himself admitting to the press: “She… sweet-talked me into meeting her. Any man would fall for this!”Last year actress Rani Mukherji’s brother Raja found himself in the thick of trouble when he was arrested for allegedly molesting a TV actor named Priya Mishra who had approached him with a script.

The Truth behind the Bollywood Casting Couch

However, the most famous casting couch scandal in B-town could well be a case where the man was wronged. Starlet Preeti Jain created a sensation in 2004 when she accused ace director Madhur Bhandarkar of raping her for many years after making false promises of giving her a film role.The case dragged on for years and finally in 2012 the Supreme Court ruled in favour of Bhandarkar and rejected the rape charge.Noted actress Sameera Reddy is candid about such casting couch scandals: “It takes two hands to clap. Nobody is a victim. We are all just players.”Actress Payal Rohatgi was in the thick of controversy in 2011 when she accused director Dibakar Banerjee of trying to sexually exploit her in exchange for a movie role. Banerjee’s friend, noted filmmaker Anurag Kashyap, jumped into the fray to defend his pal and dismissed Payal as being ‘mentally unstable’.For the record, this is Madhur Bhandarkar’s opinion on casting couch:“It’s embedded in every field, not just the film industry. Our industry is talked about because it’s in the limelight. Also, who are we kidding? Everybody is an adult here. Nothing happens without consent.”

The Truth behind the Bollywood Casting Couch

“It’s embedded in every field, not just the film industry. Our industry is talked about because it’s in the limelight. Also, who are we kidding? Everybody is an adult here. Nothing happens without consent.”In heartless B-town, it seems even established stars cannot escape persecution and male ones at that. In 2007, renowned singer Sonu Nigam went public accusing noted film critic Subash K Jha of trying to sexually harass him. When Sonu refused to give in, Jha began to criticise the crooner in his articles.Sonu vented his angst saying: “Jha is one of the most powerful journalists and that is what gives him the authority and prejudice to write anything about anyone, or probably see to it that people succumb to his advances or his desires.”

The Truth behind the Bollywood Casting Couch

Sonu also revealed the predicament of vulnerable newcomers in the cutthroat film industry when he wrote:“If someone can do this to me, I wonder what the new strugglers, models and actors have to go through in this industry? My heart goes out to them. Please let them know we are not living in a jungle where someone’s silence is taken as a sign of weakness by a beast!”Male casting couch is thus probably as widely prevalent as its female equivalent though it may be less talked about. Actor Priyanshu Chatterjee revealed: “I was asked for a sexual favour by this man who promised me a film in return. But I didn’t believe him, and was right in doing so, since the film wasn’t made.”Model Bobby Vats candidly states why he quit the fashion scene: “I was told, ‘You’ll get the job, but you know for the job you got to do this.’ And that’s the thing. That’s why I’m out of the fashion world. Sorry all fashion people, I love them all for their creativity, but that’s the way I am. I will not succumb.”Nobody can be blamed for the shameless and blatant phenomenon of the casting couch because as famous producer Mahesh Bhatt confesses: “The rot is within us.”Let’s hope Bollywood bigwigs start paying attention to true talent and not hanker for cheap thrills because the next Shahrukh Khan or Madhuri Dixit may be lost to the world just because they stuck to their principles and refused to jump into bed with a stranger just to get a film role.