Casting couch, as we all know is a term widely used and known in the world of entertainment, is much in use in the abode of Bollywood. Let me define the term, casting couch means when a casting director (or any person who has the authority to cast the stars) seduces the women or men seeking the roles in movies or any project.
This has been in practice in Hindi cinema and the entire entertainment industry of India since the outset but the term got much into notice a few years back when Shakti Kapoor’s sexual scandal came into limelight. Much was then said and written on it, even we witnessed flicks made on this subject. The outer shinning and the sparkling world of entertainment have magical effects on the common masses. Stardom attracts the people. The swanky lifestyles and the mammoth money the stars make allure the people situated outside the entertainment front. Paparazzi’s following the stars holding the cameras and stars landing on the headlines register the biggest impact on the masses in particular the ones who have interest or a little bit interest in this world. Seeing all this, the people would love to raise the toast with the stars. They turn crazy for joining in the industry and eventually the craziness brought them to the city of dreams, the financial capital – Mumbai where they stumble upon various people directly or indirectly associated with Bollywood.
Sexual favors start from this point on. Not only do the women become the victim of casting couch, but the men also get dragged into this evil business since it’s a matter of give and take (as it is the philosophy of the people who are in power, who can deliver the people a golden chance to step into the sparkling world of entertainment). The work seekers then have to lay themselves for the dirty demands of those who can turn their luck into success.
The offices are normally used for these sexual favors where the strugglers come to seek the opportunities. And this is the reason the term casting couch has been derived as the couch in the office is used to go down for the business. No doubt other places too are well in use such as five star hotels and farm houses, etc.
From the agents, photographers to directors and producers whosoever has the dirty thinking (of give and take) are involved into casting couch. Sometimes they hint the strugglers to satisfy their sexual needs and others, they directly ask for the sexual favors for the chance they want in return. There are also offerings for the night dinners or drinks together, which are the straight hints what they want from the aspiring stars.
Normally the males are involved in casting couch business asking the struggling women for the sexual favors but the women (asking the aspiring males for sexual favors) and even the males who are homosexuals too are engrossed in this evil practice common in Hindi cinema and Indian entertainment industry.
Newcomers, who are protected from casting couch business, are those who are stars’ kids and have powerful approach to the entertainment fraternity. Others have to undergo this dirty trading of give and take.
But all fingers are not equal i.e. the entire entertainment industry of Bollywood is NOT INVLOVED into casting couch. Even I can utter from my long experience and my long association with the industry that the majority of the entertainment fraternity is not involved in it. There are certain people who are absorbed into this evil doing and they are the ones who have been spoiling the image of Bollywood in the world. The talents are appreciated and the proof of it is vivid through the ever-increasing inclusion of the new talents who have skills. The ones who get the victim of casting couch are those who have dreams of becoming a star but are devoid of skills. The talent speaks by itself and no one can become the hurdle if you possess it.
