Zeeshan Khan Opens Up About Experiencing the Casting Couch in the Entertainment Industry
Key Highlights :
Bigg Boss OTT and Lock Upp fame Zeeshan Khan recently opened up about his experience with the casting couch in the entertainment industry. In an interview with Hindustan Times, the actor spoke about various unpleasant situations that he had to face in the industry.
Zeeshan recalled his first job where he was getting Rs 3000 per day as a stipend, but to get that money he had to ask the head of a talent management agency, who refused to pay him. He also shared about the incidents where casting directors tried manipulating him for sexual favours. He said, “A lot, I have met people who have thrown themselves on me, given me big names, ‘isko maine banaya’. I never wanted to go that path, the one they wanted me to go. I heard a lot about this and I have friends also who have gone ahead and done those things for work and everything. For me, I had it in my heart that when I sleep at night. I want my soul to be at peace. I don’t want to sleep at night with the thought that I have done something and if it comes out.”
Zeeshan also narrated an incident where he was asked to remove his t-shirt and drop his pants by a casting director. He said, “He asked me to show me my body. So I said, I’ll send you pictures and everything. But then he was like people usually edit pictures, so just remove your t-shirt. I was fine with removing my tee. And did so. But then he wanted me to show my legs. He asked me to drop my pants. I denied. I told him, you can see my legs from my jeans. He was like, ‘Tere jaise bohot ayee hai and do mahine ke baad they have asked ki jo chahiye karwalo bas kaam dilwa do. And I have said no to them. Remember that you have said no to me and you will regret it.’ I would rather live with that regret of saying no to you than the regret of saying yes to you.”
The actor also revealed that a fashion designer once tried to kiss him at a launch event. He said, “When I went to hug him, he tried to kiss me on my lips but I swiftly moved away and he kissed me on my cheek. My vibe dropped immediately. I caught him and told him, ‘Don’t you dare try this with me again. I will drag you out of this party in front of everyone and I will beat the shit out of you’. He went all apologetic.”
Zeeshan also said he was once indirectly offered to be a stripper at a party. He said, “I was offered to be a stripper at a party, but I refused to do it.”
The actor's brave stance against the casting couch has been praised by many in the industry. His story also serves as an inspiration for many aspiring actors who are trying to make it in the industry. It is high time that the industry takes a stand against such practices and creates a safe working environment for everyone.
