Actor asked me to come alone: Isha Koppikar on casting-couch
What's the story
When #MeToo wave hit India, it brought to fore something about Bollywood which was already known- casting couch is a dark reality and those in power abuse their influence to exploit beginners. And now, Isha Koppikar, with her story, has testified that the film industry is not an easy place for struggling actors. She revealed once an actor asked her to "meet him alone".
What happened
Producer asked Isha to get in "good books" of actor
Isha, famous for her roles in Pinjar and Kya Kool Hai Hum, sat down for a chat with Pinkvilla and spoke about her initial years in the industry. She said once a producer asked her to come in "good books" of an actor "for a movie". Later, Isha called the actor, whom she chose not to name. Thereafter, a meeting was fixed.
Details
On learning of actor's intent, Isha didn't meet him
Recalling the sour experience, Isha said the actor told him to meet between dubbing and "something he was doing." She revealed, "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'." A furious Isha, then called and slammed the producer.
Quote
Can't be forced to do things: Isha
"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," she said.
Statement
Apparently, Isha learned self-defense because of such incidents
Isha also revealed that this wasn't the standalone incident that she went through. "Some top secretaries have inappropriately touched me. I started self-defense because of that," she said. The 43-year-old said some people just don't get it when a woman says no and in some cases, the actress is written off. Kudos to Isha for standing her ground and saying no to perpetrators!