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Models, actors recount their experiences of the male casting couch
After singer Sonu Nigam yesterday accused a senior film journalist of harassing him for sexual favours in return for publicity, models and actors spoke out about the male casting couch in the Hindi film industry.
"I still remember how a model coordinator approached me and kept calling me till I told him I was not his cup of tea," says Sonu Sood, who played Abhishek Bachchan's elder brother in Yuva and a parallel lead with Emraan Hashmi in Aashiq Banaya Aapne.
Nigar Khan's husband and actor Sahil Khan (who debuted in N Chandra's Style) was also approached by another co-ordinator during a party and promised a lead role if he compromised.
"There were days when a producer would call an actress that she may have to compromise (meaning sleep with him) since the project was worth crores. Now, even male actors are subjected to similar overtures," Khan said.
He was also approached by a known journalist, but somehow managed to thwart him.
No choice
A television actor, who recently filled in for a popular character in a daily soap, said he had to "compromise" to gain a foothold in a television production house.
"I did it since I didn't have a choice. Not just directors, even honchos of production houses make sexual advances," he said.
Veteran film publicist Rajoo Kariya says, "One out of every five aspirants is a victim of the male casting couch. Not just freshers, even known actors are victimised. Sonu is just one of them who chose to speak out."
Acting guru, Kishore Namit Kapoor, says the male casting couch has overtaken the female. "There have been instances when my students have told me subtly about their experiences, which is disgusting."
A renowned fashion designer and choreographer, who is a homosexual, told MiD DAY that he, too, was victimised during his struggling days. "People say Bollywood is not safe for women, and fashion industry isn't for men.
But in the changing scenario, even Bollywood is not safe for men."
He insisted that more than half the aspirants had been victims of sexual exploitation — male and female alike.
The other side
"Why blame us when the models themselves make offers and we put it forward to the concerned clients?" asked Hanif Mohd, a model coordinator based in the suburbs, who has around 2,500 male actors and models enrolled with him. He claims that at least 1,500 of them are bisexuals.
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| VICTIM? Actor Sonu Sood |
"I still remember how a model coordinator approached me and kept calling me till I told him I was not his cup of tea," says Sonu Sood, who played Abhishek Bachchan's elder brother in Yuva and a parallel lead with Emraan Hashmi in Aashiq Banaya Aapne.
Nigar Khan's husband and actor Sahil Khan (who debuted in N Chandra's Style) was also approached by another co-ordinator during a party and promised a lead role if he compromised.
"There were days when a producer would call an actress that she may have to compromise (meaning sleep with him) since the project was worth crores. Now, even male actors are subjected to similar overtures," Khan said.
He was also approached by a known journalist, but somehow managed to thwart him.
No choice
A television actor, who recently filled in for a popular character in a daily soap, said he had to "compromise" to gain a foothold in a television production house.
"I did it since I didn't have a choice. Not just directors, even honchos of production houses make sexual advances," he said.
Veteran film publicist Rajoo Kariya says, "One out of every five aspirants is a victim of the male casting couch. Not just freshers, even known actors are victimised. Sonu is just one of them who chose to speak out."
Acting guru, Kishore Namit Kapoor, says the male casting couch has overtaken the female. "There have been instances when my students have told me subtly about their experiences, which is disgusting."
A renowned fashion designer and choreographer, who is a homosexual, told MiD DAY that he, too, was victimised during his struggling days. "People say Bollywood is not safe for women, and fashion industry isn't for men.
But in the changing scenario, even Bollywood is not safe for men."
He insisted that more than half the aspirants had been victims of sexual exploitation — male and female alike.
The other side
"Why blame us when the models themselves make offers and we put it forward to the concerned clients?" asked Hanif Mohd, a model coordinator based in the suburbs, who has around 2,500 male actors and models enrolled with him. He claims that at least 1,500 of them are bisexuals.
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