Thread: Whose fault is the "Casting Couch" issue?

Originally Posted by Shana

Recently we have been hearing voices from well-established actresses about casting couch(demanding sexual favors from actresses to get a role in a movie) and there're 02 kinds of arguments flowing in this hubbub.

• There's always a choice for the aspiring actress to say NO and leave the director's office
• It's the director's fault to ask such favors from actresses who've got talent.

Whose side are you on?
Where does the fault lie in?
Is it ok for actresses to provide those favors and get the role and then point out the directors as criminals?
Are we over glorifying those victim heroines who went through casting couch?

Every character in a film is unique and if casting department could find the correct girl for leading girl character, it is their luck. If they leave the film it is a list to the makers. But in the case of Indian cinema , most of the leading girl characters look so similar and mostly used for glamour only. So there is a heavy competition so the directors are using them. The directors alone cannot be pointed out as guilty. The actress should also have to leave the chance because she should know that her skill should be considered for a chance.. not her body. This happens in India a lot than any other country in the world ..

Originally Posted by Karikaalan

Every character in a film is unique and if casting department could find the correct girl for leading girl character, it is their luck. If they leave the film it is a list to the makers. But in the case of Indian cinema , most of the leading girl characters look so similar and mostly used for glamour only. So there is a heavy competition so the directors are using them. The directors alone cannot be pointed out as guilty. The actress should also have to leave the chance because she should know that her skill should be considered for a chance.. not her body. This happens in India a lot than any other country in the world ..

So are you trying to say it is okay for a director to corner a girl for sexual favours using her need for a role as an opportunity to sleep with her?
Let's say that a very talented aspiring actress has been approached several times with Casting couch and she left those chances for her pride and prestige. But in the end, if she is blacklisted as not to be hired, what would she do? Too many unfair rejections because of her saying 'no' to couch may loosen her determination to find a role only with her talent. What chance does a talented heroine have when she desperately needs a role to make her living?