Casting couch is something which has been happening behind the scenes and it is not at all a new concept rather it is as old as our civilization. People started noticing it very recently. Several actresses have been a victim of harassment in the Film Industry as well.
The casting couch is a practice of asking for sexual favours from a job applicant in exchange for a job in the entertainment industry, especially acting roles. The casting couch originally referred to physical couches in the casting office. This practice is termed illegal in the United States.
Male casting directors, as well as, film producers use the casting couch in a bid to extract sex from ambitious actresses in Hollywood, Bollywood and other segments of the cinema industry.
Several actresses in the Indian film industry have been a victim of sexual harassment. Time and again, actresses have spoken up against the casting couch and harassment. Previously, #MeToo movement hit the headlines which exposed some popular names from several professional fields across the country.
With feminism and women’s empowerment becoming the most-talked subjects, actresses have become more open about prevalent issues. With the MeToo movement encouraging several women to share their ordeal of sexual abuse at the workplace, the film industry is also no exception.
Aishwarya Rajesh opens up on her casting couch experience
Aishwarya Rajesh is a popular actress in the South Indian film industry. She primarily works in Tamil films, alongside Telugu and Malayalam films. Moreover, she is a recipient of four SIIMA Awards, one Filmfare Award South and one Tamil Nadu State Film Award.
She also opened up about the casting couch experience in her Ted Ex speech. “People showed discrimination towards me and even asked for sexual favours. They used to tease me for my colour. But I patiently overcame it. No one supported me in my journey. I supported myself and came here.” revealed the actress.