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On Tuesday, veteran choreographer Saroj Khan, who is one of the most prominent dance choreographers in Hindi cinema, made a recent (ignorant) statement on casting couch in the film industry. The 69-year-old not only accepted the existence of the ‘casting couch’ in the film industry, but also defended it. She began her argument by stating that this was not a recent practice but has been going on from the beginning of time.
Saroj Khan had a bizarre justification of prevailing casting couch situation in the industry. Responding to a question relating to Telugu actress Sri Reddy’s act of stripping to protest against the culture of the casting couch, in a statement to a TV channel, she said that blaming the film industry for it is unfair, further adding that ‘at least it provides livelihood and doesn’t abandon after rape. However, Saroj Khan, who received severe backlash and was asked to apologise, later issued an apology to CNN News18 for her statement.
Reacting to veteran Bollywood choreographer’s statements defending the practice of casting couch in the film industry, Telugu actress Sri Reddy said, “I lost respect for you Saroj ma’am. Being an elder you should give a good path to young actresses. It is giving a wrong indication that you have to be a slave to producers: Sri Reddy (actress who alleged that women are sexual exploited by producers) on Saroj Khan’s remark.” ALSO READ: Saroj Khan Defends Casting Couch In Bollywood With A Bizarre Justification; Apologises Soon After
On the other hand, Bollywood actress Richa Chadha came to Saroj Khan’s defence. In a byte to ANI, the actor said, “I think people are making a mountain of a molehill. There’s a narrative that people in Bollywood are the worst and indulge in malpractices which isn’t the case. She meant to say it takes place in all industries, why is Bollywood being singled out?”
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