10 Bollywood Celebrities Who Bravely Spoke Out About Facing the Casting Couch

Actress Swara Bhaskar has repeatedly spoken out against sexual harassment in the film industry. She revealed being passed over for roles because she refused to compromise and described being stalked and harassed by a director who pressured her to visit his hotel room under false pretenses. Swara also highlighted harassment while shooting outdoors, including being grabbed and catcalled. Her advice to fellow and aspiring actresses is clear: “Lose the part but don’t get on the couch.”

Actress Aditi Rao Hydari revealed that early in her career, she faced pressures to comply with the casting couch but chose to stand her ground, even if it meant losing roles. She admitted it was emotionally challenging, but she never regretted refusing. Aditi emphasized that anyone mistreated should speak up and resist such power plays, noting, “People who need your skills will contact you… I am living proof that standing by your principles can still lead to success in the industry.”

Ranveer Singh, who debuted in Band Baaja Baaraat (2010) opposite Anushka Sharma, has become one of Bollywood’s biggest stars. However, early in his career, he faced the casting couch. He revealed that a casting director invited him to his Andheri home without even reviewing his resume, insisting he be “clever and sexy” and willing to be touched or exposed. Ranveer firmly refused, standing his ground despite the pressure.

Radhika Apte, known for her versatility and natural screen presence, has openly spoken about facing the casting couch in Bollywood. She revealed being offered a role on the condition of being "comfortable sleeping with that person," which she firmly refused, telling him to "go to hell." Radhika also recounted incidents with a South actor who acted flirtatiously and got upset when she rejected him, highlighting the challenges many actors face in the industry.

Ayushmann Khurrana revealed that early in his career, a casting director asked him for sexual favors, showing that the casting couch affects male actors too. He firmly refused but emphasized that talent and dedication, not compromise, are what sustain a career in the industry. While he respects those who make different choices, Ayushmann highlighted that such demands are unethical and true success comes from one’s skills and potential.

Actress Prachi spoke openly about her experience with the casting couch, revealing that a filmmaker approached her for sexual favors. She explained that in the industry, one is constantly judged from a male perspective, being told she wasn’t “hot” or “sexy enough” and pressured to perform in provocative scenes or songs. Despite direct and indirect attempts at harassment, including repeated calls from the director, Prachi firmly refused and repeatedly said “no”, even when offered roles in major films.

Actress Kalki Koechlin shared a shocking experience of sexual harassment in Bollywood, recalling a time when a producer invited her to a late-night supper under the pretext of “getting to know him” and promised her a movie if she agreed. Kalki declined, only to later find out the film was never made. She highlighted a key point during her #MeToo video: “People don’t listen to you if you are a nobody, but if you are a star, it only becomes a surprising headline.”

Actress Tisca Chopra, known for films like Taare Zameen Par, shared a troubling early-career experience with a well-known filmmaker. She described the director as "reptile-like" and recalled warnings from others who said working with him would be like agreeing to be his personal object of desire throughout the production, asking if she was “all right with that.”

Actress Surveen Chawla, known for Parched and Hate Story 2, has also confronted the casting couch while transitioning from television to films. She revealed that such practices are common in South Indian cinema, but considers herself fortunate not to have faced it in Bollywood. Surveen stated, “I am extremely relieved that I have not come across this here. Naturally, I refused to give in when I encountered this down south. I can only really comment on it if I had seen it in Bollywood.”

Actress Richa Chadha candidly spoke about her experiences with the casting couch early in her career. She recounted witnessing unsettling incidents and being offered absurd roles, calling the people involved “low rung, ignorant fools.” Despite the pressure, Richa refused to compromise, stating that while it might have made her journey easier, she values the purity of the art form and would never take that route.