Hollywood’s casting couch problem was one of the major contributors to the birth of MeToo movement and it came into the limelight after a bunch of actresses came forward against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein. They came forward and addressed the sexual assaults they faced at the hands of Weinstein all while they were working with him or were lured in for a possible work prospect.
However, in Hollywood’s distant southeast Asian cousin, Bollywood, things are a bit different. Not in the casting couch department, they both are the same, but in the department where people from the industry actually come forward to defend the practice.
Veteran choreographer Saroj Khan at a recent press conference in Mumbai, defended the practice of casting couch in the film industry, saying it at least provides a livelihood. She was asked about her opinion on the ongoing allegations by Sri Reddy that have shaken up the Telugu film industry. As per ANI, the veteran choreographer said, “Yeh chala aa raha hai Baba azam ke zamaane se. Har ladki ke upar koi na koi haath saaf karne ki koshish karta hai. Govt ke log bhi karte hain. Tum film industry ke peeche kyun pade ho? Woh kam se kam roti toh deti hai. Rape karke chhod toh nahi deti: Saroj Khan on Casting Couch. (This has been going on for ages. Everybody wants to try on a girl, even the government employees. Why are you after the film industry? At least they provide a livelihood. They don’t leave someone after raping them.)”
Yeh chala aa raha hai Baba azam ke zamaane se. Har ladki ke upar koi na koi haath saaf karne ki koshish karta hai. Govt ke log bhi karte hain. Tum film industry ke peeche kyun pade ho? Woh kam se kam roti toh deti hai. Rape karke chhod toh nahi deti: Saroj Khan on Casting Couch. pic.twitter.com/xvHxSbvhzg
— ANI (@ANI) April 24, 2018
Yeh ladki ke upar hai ki tum kya karna chahti ho. Tum uske haath mein nahi aana chahti ho toh nahi aaogi. Tumhare paas art hai toh tum kyun bechoge apne aap ko? Film industry ko kuch mat kehna, woh humaara mai-baap hai: Saroj Khan on Casting Couch. pic.twitter.com/kYpPAPWMtB
— ANI (@ANI) April 24, 2018
Now, this is not a statement that could be let go off easily. We all somewhere deeply know about the casting couch practice in the industry, however, it’s this thought behind the practice that has kept it alive.
While many came forward with their own criticism of the words spoken by Saroj Khan, other’s came out in support of an agreement to the statement and considering she was blatantly honest with her statement. Check out the reactions over here.
WTH!!!?? I see the distinction she is trying to make here but that doesn’t justify any kind of exploitation M’am.. this is hugely irresponsible! https://t.co/uDqsd18TR8
— Mini Mathur (@minimathur) April 24, 2018
That's the problem with the industry : the normalisation of rape and sexual abuse, I know of many newcomers who are so willing to undergo it because they assume it's the norm and THAT is the problem.#SarojKhan
— Priya Malik (@PriyaSometimes) April 24, 2018
I didn’t expect such derogatory & uncalled for statements from a veteran like #SarojKhan and totally condemn it. Our #EntertaimentIndustry, like all other industries respects women. #Exploitation of women is a crime and should be fought in all spheres of life.
— Ashoke Pandit (@ashokepandit) April 24, 2018
https://twitter.com/ippatel/status/988657617642840064
Saroj Khan's bizzare and shameful logic comes at a time when more and more female voices are joining to defeat this venomous practice of using girls in exchange for better role, job or livelihood. Not expected from a three time national award winner!#SarojKhan https://t.co/lFrq1A7AGk
— Geetika Swami (@SwamiGeetika) April 24, 2018
Glad somebody from inside bollywood spelled it out so clearly.
Bollywood is a flection of 'That Book' which justifies Sexual Slavery.
hence, Rape for Roti is nothing odd here..
Next time these 'Stars' pontificate on Morality… Remember this..#SarojKhan https://t.co/CZnvBlDxLw— Sapna (@parmarsap) April 24, 2018
Hmm #SarojKhan has lost it! Her comments about casting couch are ludicrous. She should know better. Silly woman!
— Raj Baddhan (@RajBaddhan) April 24, 2018
#Bollywood justification of casting couch in name of livelihood. https://t.co/uQrG7hVZRw
— कुमार मनीष l Kumar Manish (@kumarmanish9) April 24, 2018
Whoreography as defined by Saroj Khan https://t.co/edW6fvHZDD
— Kajol Srinivasan (@LOLrakshak) April 24, 2018
Such a shocking statement that too from a vateran like her. Not done. https://t.co/W4C5wEkqCW
— Mansi Shah (@mansishah1611) April 24, 2018
With all the respect that I have or had for this woman..this is just beyond all limits…"atleast woh rape karke chhod toh nahi deti"..well done Bollywood! https://t.co/YpSWzRyO4J
— Aditi A (@AditiAnarayanan) April 24, 2018
Equally angered & sad at Saroj Khan's statements. Looking at sexual harassment as an occupational hazard is also internalising victim blaming…
— Vasudha Venugopal (@vasudha_ET) April 24, 2018
IRONIC that #SarojKhan says "Casting couch provides livelihood.Taking advantage of a girl is done with her consent" while world over & esp.Hollywood, Women came out with #Metoo campaign against this ugly side of the movie industry which views women as OBJECTS to be used & abused
— Rosy (@rose_k01) April 24, 2018
बहुत ही घटिया सोच।अगर आप अपने किसी अनुभव को सार्वजनिक कर रही हैं तो जरुर करिए किन्तु इसे अन्य से जोडने का अपराध मत कीजिए@ Sarojkhan
— Dr. Anno Srivastava (@AnuPrakash18) April 24, 2018
Saroj Khan since then has come forward with an apology. She said, “I apologise for my statement.”
No matter which side you stand (which is absolutely bizarre considering there’s nothing right about the statement given by the veteran choreographer) but the truth is, it’s been too long since women in this world are considered mere objects. And, a thought process like this one is the real reason behind its prevalence, still.
Jyotsna Amla