Off record, Bollywood rests on casting couch

Ask filmmakers or film-stars if the casting couch exists, and they will feign complete ignorance of the concept. But ask the hundreds of asp...

Ask filmmakers or film-stars if the casting couch exists, and they will feign complete ignorance of the concept. But ask the hundreds of aspiring actors and actresses who throng the offices of television-programme and film producers, and a totally different picture will emerge.

8216;8216;They don8217;t call it the big bad world of movies for nothing,8217;8217; says a source in the film trade, who estimates that over a dozen young girls are indecently propositioned by 8216;8216;casting directors8217;8217; and filmmakers every single day.

8216;8216;Why this is rarely reported, is for two reasons. Some of these girls agree to compromise for a job, and those who don8217;t would rather not talk about it for fear of earning a bad reputation,8217;8217; our source explains.

Apart from some of Bollywood8217;s leading filmmakers using the couch, sources in the TV industry say it has become a common hurdle for wannabe TV actors as well.

8216;8216;The problem is there are far too many middlemen,8217;8217; says a leading TV analyst. 8216;8216;The top producers may be clean, but for a struggling actress who must go through a bunch of lower level agents and co-ordinators, the experience can be difficult,8217;8217; our source reveals.

Production companies hire co-ordinators whose job is to sift through the thousands of portfolios they receive, and call back the promising ones for an audition. It is at this stage most of the exploitation occurs.

According to those in the know, it is not uncommon for these co-ordinators to demand a date and in several cases, sexual favours in return for a interview.

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Famous is the story of this A-list filmmaker who has discovered some of Bollywood8217;s leading heroines. His bungalow at Madh Island is rumoured to be his favourite spot when 8216;8216;testing8217;8217; prospective actresses.

In Bollywood. it is a well-known fact that this film-maker won8217;t cast you in his film before you8217;ve gone through his casting couch.

8216;8216;It8217;s not always the filmmaker who makes the first move,8217;8217; says a leading producer, who insists that in his own experience in Bollywood, he has come across several wannabe actresses who have thrown themselves at him.

8216;8216;You have to understand that everyone wants to be an actor or an actress. They are attracted to the glamour and the not just film-makers, even leading male stars are known to 8216;8216;recommend8217;8217; a starlet to a producer for a forthcoming film, in exchange of sexual favours.

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Two of Bollywood8217;s most popular action heroes are in the habit of making sure these girls are cast in supporting roles after they have 8216;8216;co-operated8217;8217; with them in seedy hotel rooms or producers8217; offices.8217;8217;