It's probably always been a part of Bollywood, but it never fails to shock. Casting couch is very much a reality in the industry that ironically presents a rosy view of life. But few choose to speak about this menace, for reasons that are obvious – career concerns, fear of retribution, backlash from peers, and so on.
Behind the smiles and the makeup lie the pain of compromises, the lack of trust and maybe even regret, all masked to earn the daily bread, with some butter on it. When the cream of Bollywood – the A-list names was asked, they opposed to pass a single comment about the casting couch. Then when the second rung of actors and actresses, who are somewhere between 'strugglers' and 'A-listerswere targeted they too are reluctant to talk about the menace, mainly because they don't want to rock the boat that might take them to stardom.
Some, however, were willing to speak up on conditions of anonymity. Model and actor Aryan Vaid boldly agreed to talk about his experiences. "I have been propositioned by one of Bollywood's biggest directors. I have been offered money to sleep with politicians by one of the biggest ever producers in Bollywood. These things keep happening but no one forces you in the industry," he says. Dale Bhagwagar, who is publicist to the likes of Shilpa Shetty and Hrithik Roshan, says: "When people are in a position of power a world of opportunity is open to them. With beautiful people around, the couch is just another pleasure trip that many choose to take."
The most vocal group was perhaps what we derogatorily call the 'strugglers'. The worst affected by the casting couch, they are exploited as they struggle to make ends meet in the hope that someday the world will sit up and take notice of them. They're more than willing to talk, for two reasons – an opportunity to air their grievances and free publicity .
Agrees model Hazel, who made her debut on silver screen with Robbie Grewal's Mera Pehla Pehla Pyar opposite actor Ruslan Mumtaz, has encountered once such situation. While she was a struggling actress, she was asked to return few 'favours' to get a meaty role in a movie.
Recalling that incident she says, "It was a nightmare. I had no knowledge of Hindi then. The director said that I could audition in English," she states. The director told Hazel that she would be playing a supermodel in the film. She continues, "The director told me that the opening scene would have me stepping out of a swimming pool in a bikini. He said he wanted to see how I looked in one. I told him that I did not have a bikini with me and couldn't audition in one.I was shocked when he asked me to strip and pose in my undergarments instead."
After talking to some of them, you realize that there are very few who might have escaped the couch. Yes, few are caught in the act, but most grin and bear it and give their bodies in return for fame, fortune and wards. Surprise, surprise – not many even consider this swap immoral. All is fair in love and the search for success.
Actress Nandini Jhumani simplifies it thus: "It's a game of give and take. If two people are okay with what they are doing, then it's a win-win situation. We all know that without talent one can't get far. Sex is only a tool."
Two of them who had a tough time battling the lecherous e
yes of Bollywood's bad boys are item girls Liza Malik and Nikita. Both have just started out in the industry but have had experiences that will shock you. While Nikita accuses one of the big producers in the industry of attempted rape, Liza alleges that a director who was recently nominated in the best director category of IIFA tried to misbehave with her. Because there is no way to substantiate the accusations, because the old order might change but casting couch is handed down, because there are careers and livelihoods at stake, because the menace is very much a part of being a star, one has to bite the bullet & live by it.
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