Saroj Khan defends casting couch in Bollywood, says it at least provides livelihood

Yeh chala aa raha hai Baba azam ke zamaane se. Har ladki ke upar koi na koi haath saaf karne ki koshish karta hai. Govt ke log bhi karte hain. Tum film industry ke peeche kyun pade ho? Woh kam se kam roti toh deti hai. Rape karke chhod toh nahi deti: Saroj Khan on Casting Couch. pic.twitter.com/xvHxSbvhzg

— ANI (@ANI) April 24, 2018

She further added, “Yeh ladki ke upar hai ki tum kya karna chahti ho. Tum uske haath mein nahi aana chahti ho toh nahi aaogi. Tumhare paas art hai toh tum kyun bechoge apne aap ko? Film industry ko kuch mat kehna, woh humaara mai-baap hai. (It is upto the girl as to what she wants to do. If you don’t want to give in, you won’t. If you have the skills and art, why would you sell yourself? Don’t say anything about the film industry, they are our godfather.)”

Yeh ladki ke upar hai ki tum kya karna chahti ho. Tum uske haath mein nahi aana chahti ho toh nahi aaogi. Tumhare paas art hai toh tum kyun bechoge apne aap ko? Film industry ko kuch mat kehna, woh humaara mai-baap hai: Saroj Khan on Casting Couch. pic.twitter.com/kYpPAPWMtB

— ANI (@ANI) April 24, 2018

Saroj Khan later issued an apology while speaking to CNN News 18. She said, “I apologise for my statement.” However, actor Sri Reddy has condemned Saroj Khan’s statement.

I lost respect for you Saroj ma’am. Being an elder you should give a good path to young actresses. It is giving a wrong indication that you have to be a slave to producers: Sri Reddy (actress who alleged that women are sexual exploited by producers) on Saroj Khan’s remark. pic.twitter.com/I9TWmLahrX

— ANI (@ANI) April 24, 2018

She said, “I lost respect for you Saroj ma’am. Being an elder you should give a good path to young actresses. It is giving a wrong indication that you have to be a slave to producers.”

Actor Richa Chadha also shared her comments on SarojKhan’s remarks.

I think people are making mountain of molehill. There’s narrative that people in Bollywood are the worst&indulge in malpractices which isn’t the case. She meant to say it takes place in all industries, why is Bollywood being singled out?: Richa Chadda, on Saroj Khan #CastingCouch pic.twitter.com/m2omh0n6tN

— ANI (@ANI) April 24, 2018

She said, “I think people are making mountain of molehill. There’s narrative that people in Bollywood are the worst&indulge in malpractices which isn’t the case. She meant to say it takes place in all industries, why is Bollywood being singled out?”