Close X
Saturday, September 21, 2024
ADVT 
Bollywood

Saroj Khan's Defence Of Casting Couch Outrages Celebs And Twitter. 'Lost Respect,' They Say

Darpan News Desk IANS, 24 Apr, 2018 01:48 PM
  • Saroj Khan's Defence Of Casting Couch Outrages Celebs And Twitter. 'Lost Respect,' They Say

Veteran choreographer Saroj Khan's brazen comment that the casting couch "provides livelihood at least" in showbiz received a divided response. For some, it's the bitter truth and some found her comment derogatory. She later retracted and apologised

 

Congress leader Renuka Chowdhary supported Khan's view and said the Parliament too is not immune to the casting couch.

 

At an event in Sangli, Khan said: "Can I tell you one thing? This has been happening since the beginning of time. It hasn't started now. Someone or the other tries to take advantage of every other girl. The government's people do it too. Then why are you after the film industry?

 

"It provides livelihood at least. Does not rape and leave you. It depends on the girl, what she wants to do. If you don't want to fall in the wrong hands, you won't. If you have art, why would you sell yourself? Don't take the film industry's name."

 

 

A video of the comment was doing the rounds on social media on Tuesday.

 

Her comment left Twitterati in shock as many took it as a clean chit to the prevalence of the casting couch in the Indian film industry, which has largely remained mum in naming and shaming offenders despite speaking up in favour of the global #MeToo movement.

 

Khan, however, apologised for making the remark.

 

"Whatever the question, you don't know... You just know my answer. So it is sounding wrong. But anyhow, I am sorry. I apologise," Khan told IANS. When probed as to what was the question, Khan disconnected the call.

 
 
 

The comment comes in the wake of a debate which got intensified after southern actress Sri Reddy caused a stir by sitting semi-naked on a road in Hyderabad to protest against the casting couch menace in the film world.

 

Chowdhury supported Khan, saying: "Yes, it is the bitter truth. The whole film industry may get up in arms against me. It's just not in the film industry also, this happens everywhere in work spaces with women. It happens everywhere. So, don't imagine that the Parliament is immune or some other work space is immune. It's not.

 

"This happens with women everywhere. If you look at the western world today, established top actresses have taken this long to come out and say 'Me too'. It's time India stood up and say 'Me too'."

 

From the film fraternity, Bollywood star Ranbir Kapoor said he has never faced the casting couch, but it is "worse" if it exists. And Richa Chadha felt the media was blowing Khan's statement out of proportion as what she meant was why was Bollywood being singled out when it happens everywhere.

 

Filmmaker Ashoke Pandit slammed Khan.

 

"I didn't expect such derogatory and uncalled for statements from a veteran like Saroj Khan and totally condemn it. Our entertaiment industry, like all other industries respects women. Exploitation of women is a crime and should be fought in all spheres of life," Pandit tweeted.

 

Actress Shruti Seth wrote: "The right intent but very, very wrong words. Again, women are made incumbent to stop injustice against themselves and men have been absolved of their participation. Stop the practice of sexual exploitation. In whichever industry it exists, it's wrong.

 
 

Sophie Choudry commented: "So much respect for Sarojji as a choreographer but this is how she uses her position to protect girls? If I didn't come from a financially sound background, I would have returned to London within a month of being in Mumbai because of industry folk who think like that."

 
 

Some attacked Khan’s statements with biting sarcasm

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

MORE Bollywood ARTICLES

'Raid' Emerges As 2nd Highest Opening Weekend Grosser

'Raid' Emerges As 2nd Highest Opening Weekend Grosser
Ajay Devgn starrer, 'Raid' has emerged as the second highest opening weekend grosser of 2018, till now.

'Raid' Emerges As 2nd Highest Opening Weekend Grosser

Jacqueline Fernandez Sizzles As Jessica On New 'Race 3' Poster

Jacqueline Fernandez Sizzles As Jessica On New 'Race 3' Poster
Jacqueline Fernandez is all set to join the Race yet again with the third installment of the 'Race' franchise. The actress will be seen in a much edgier and power packed avatar as Jessica for 'Race 3'.

Jacqueline Fernandez Sizzles As Jessica On New 'Race 3' Poster

Not Hurt Kapil Sharma Called Me A Liar, I Am Worried About His Health: Sunil Grover

Referring to his mid-air fight with Kapil Sharma, Sunil Grover says he met the comedian “after the incident” but “many things happened between the two of us since then”.

Not Hurt Kapil Sharma Called Me A Liar, I Am Worried About His Health: Sunil Grover

Amitabh Bachchan Shares His First Job Application Picture, Says 'No Wonder I Was Rejected'

Amitabh Bachchan Shares His First Job Application Picture, Says 'No Wonder I Was Rejected'
Sharing the old picture where he is dressed in an off white kurta pyjama, Amitabh Bachchan wrote, “My application picture for a job in movies .. 1968.. no wonder I was rejected.”

Amitabh Bachchan Shares His First Job Application Picture, Says 'No Wonder I Was Rejected'

Rajinikanth Back In Chennai: God, People Are Behind Me, Not BJP

Rajinikanth Back In Chennai: God, People Are Behind Me, Not BJP
  Rajinikanth on Tuesday returned to Chennai from his spiritual pilgrimage to the Himalayans. After brushing off the media at the airport, he took a few questions outside his residence in Poes Garden. 

Rajinikanth Back In Chennai: God, People Are Behind Me, Not BJP

I Don't Like Most TV Content Anymore: Mona Singh

Well-known television actress Mona Singh, who will feature in a web series "Kehne Ko Humsafar Hain", says she does not relate to most of the television content these days.

I Don't Like Most TV Content Anymore: Mona Singh