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

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?

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?

Originally Posted by Shana

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?

I think it's misunderstood. The actress should leave from trying that film if she is asked to share the bed by the director. Because she deserves what she deserves . She need not to have sex with the director to prove that she can act well.

Originally Posted by Shana

So are you trying to say 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?

Thats a point... Her living is a thing to be considered. There should be a system that actress could complain without hesitation if any casting couch is happening. But another question, what do male artist to for their living when they don't have a chance? This is beyond gender. Everyone has to do something for living. The crime here is , directors giving hope to the actress , that they would be selected if they share bed with them.

Originally Posted by Karikaalan

Thats a point... Her living is a thing to be considered. There should be a system that actress could complain without hesitation if any casting couch is happening. But another question, what do male artist to for their living when they don't have a chance? This is beyond gender. Everyone has to do something for living. The crime here is , directors giving hope to the actress , that they would be selected if they share bed with them.

It's funny you're mentioning male artists? I never heard any casting couch cases which involve male actors...
Even if they don't get a chance, they have the opportunity to live with dignity, but those victims are made to strip their prestige off to get a role. In my POV, that is more painful than not getting a chance.

Originally Posted by Karikaalan

I think it's misunderstood. The actress should leave from trying that film if she is asked to share the bed by the director. Because she deserves what she deserves . She need not to have sex with the director to prove that she can act well.

So she's supposed to leave all the chances where she can get a role and make her golden entry into the industry and prove her worth to all, because of what she deserves?
No desperate actress would believe that in reality.

Originally Posted by Shana

So she's supposed to leave all the chances where she can get a role and make her golden entry into the industry and prove her worth to all, because of what she deserves?
No desperate actress would believe that in reality.

What about the desperate male actors? They have the same problem right?? They can't even get a chance by any other ways. the film life is always a struggle not just in India but around the world . Only a little percentage of people have succeeded to earn for their life through films.

Originally Posted by Karikaalan

What about the desperate male actors? They have the same problem right?? They can't even get a chance by any other ways. the film life is always a struggle not just in India but around the world . Only a little percentage of people have succeeded to earn for their life through films.

Every actor has their problem to shine. But how many of them have a pre-decided vulgar fate to undergo, even before their talent is proved? Men or women?

Originally Posted by Shana

Every actor has their problem to shine. But how many of them have a pre-decided vulgar fate to undergo, even before their talent is proved? Men or women?

Yah .. I agree with you. It's women. It's a shame for all the filmmakers.😓