In a shocker that has jolted the industry, actor Rajeev Khandelwal confessed about a harrowing casting couch experience. The dignified-for-screen-impresario actor recounted the incident when a leading producer tried to coerce him with a strange serenade-threat mix.
The actor recollected that the producer, high after the overwhelming success of his latest blockbuster, had called him over for a meeting — And what happened thereafter was simply surreal. Instead of talking business— discussing the project—the producer kept complimenting the actor and even started serenading him with a song. The embarrassing event became ominous as the actor politely refused the advances, only to receive an icy threat to his career.
Khandelwal’s candid account came as a jolt and elicited the mandatory debate on the dark underbelly of the industry. His courage to come forward has been a big step toward highlighting issues faced by struggling actors. Because of stories like Khandelwal’s, in the backdrop of the din on sexual harassment that surrounds the industry, there is a loud clamour about the power dynamics and the hurried necessity for change.
The brave disclosure of the actor does, indeed, represent the very courage such abuse takes to speak up about. Hopefully, his experience will encourage other victims to bring their stories forward and seek justice.
Image Curtesy – Instagram (Rajeev Khandelwal)