Isha Koppikar narrates her Casting Couch story, says she has been Inappropriately Touched which forced her to learn Self Defense

Apart from the starry manifestation of Bollywood, the tinsel town has its own dims and lows. The showbiz provides the stars with fame and acknowledgment but also has them mired in problems. The actors have to often face the evils of bullying, trolling and in fact harassment as well in the industry. And the horrific event of casting couch remains to be one of the most commonly faced problems by female actors in the entertainment business. 

After Swara Bhaskar, Nora Fatehi, Richa Chadha among others opened up about the horrific casting couch experience, actress Isha Koppikar has now shared her appalling story. Right from being typecast as mere an ‘item girl’ to getting replaced in films due to casting couch, the actress faced it all.

Besides, Isha had to face the wrath of nepotism as well. "A lot of times I was about to get a role. But someone would call and their daughter or the starlet would get the film. Or if someone is with someone - whether she is his muse or girlfriend, she has got the role. So I have been hit by nepotism a few times,” she told Pinkvilla.

She also recalls an incident when a superstar wanted to meet her alone and revealed that a few top secretaries touched her inappropriately :

Yes, I have been propositioned. One producer told me, 'This film is happening. Call up this actor, you need to be in the good books of actors. So I called him. He told me his full timetable. He's an early morning person and he goes to the gym at this time. He asked me to meet him in between of his dubbing and something he was doing. He asked me who I was coming with and I told him I will be coming with my driver. He said, 'Don't come with anybody'. I was not 15 or 16 then. I knew what was happening. So I told him, 'I am not free tomorrow, I'll let you know'. I immediately called up the producer and told him that he should cast me for my talent. But then, I can't be forced into doing all these things for a role. That is what is intimidating for a lot of people. When a woman says no, they can't take it. And temporarily, you're written off. I never ended up working with that actor.

- Isha Koppikar told Pinkvilla

She further added that some top secretaries have inappropriately touched her which led her to learn and take self-defense seriously.

Isha, who was on a break from the movies is all geared up for her second innings in the digital world.