Bollywood and Telugu film actress Saiyami Kher has made headlines with her recent revelations about a troubling casting couch experience she encountered early in her career in the Telugu film industry.
In an exclusive interview with Bollywood Bubble, the 32-year-old actress shared a shocking incident from when she was just 19 or 20 years old, shedding light on the persistent issue of exploitation in the entertainment industry.
Saiyami Kher, who debuted in Telugu cinema with “Rey” in 2015 recounted a distressing encounter with a female casting agent who approached her for a role in a Telugu film.
The agent suggested that Saiyami would need to “make compromises” to secure the opportunity, a euphemism often associated with trading sexual favors for work. What made the incident particularly jarring for Saiyami was that the proposition came from another woman, which she found deeply unsettling.
“I was trying to test her because it was a woman saying it to another woman,” Saiyami said, explaining how she initially pretended not to understand the agent’s implications. When the agent persisted, Saiyami firmly responded, “Excuse me, I believe you’re suggesting something inappropriate. I have certain boundaries, and I will never cross them.”
The actress emphasized that this was the only casting couch incident she faced in her career, noting that she has been fortunate with most of her professional offers. However, the experience left a lasting impact, particularly because it occurred at such a young age, when she was still navigating the complexities of the film industry.
“It was shocking that a woman would speak to another woman in this manner,” Saiyami remarked, highlighting the unexpected nature of the proposition. She further clarified that she harbors no judgment toward those who might feel compelled to make such compromises due to desperation, but she stood firm on her personal principles.
“There are certain limits I have never crossed,” she asserted.
Saiyami’s revelation has sparked renewed conversations about the casting couch phenomenon, a long-standing issue in the film industry that has been brought to the forefront by several actors in recent years. Her candidness echoes similar accounts from other celebrities, such as Tisca Chopra, Ayushmann Khurrana, and Surveen Chawla, who have spoken out about their own encounters with exploitation in both Bollywood and regional cinema.
Saiyami’s latest revelation underscores that the issue persists, even as the industry evolves. Her story also aligns with broader discussions about power dynamics and gender in cinema, particularly in the wake of the #MeToo movement, which brought to light numerous accounts of harassment and exploitation.