‘Kuch Bhi Kar lo Humein Kaam De Do,’….Rakhi Sawant On  Facing The Casting Couch

Never one to shy away from calling a spade a shovel, Rakhi Sawant  now has a rather  startling opinion on  the  ongoing debate on the casting couch and sexual harassment  of strugglers in the  film industry.

 Rakhi admits to being a  victim.“When I was a struggler, yes I did face the casting couch. But it wasn’t as if every producer  or director I approached  was guilty . As in every walk of life there  is  sexual corruption in the film industry.As far as I was concerned, this was just in the beginning .But I had talent and I didn’t have to  give in. I learnt  to say no.And I  used my talents as an artiste to make  my way through life.I suggest all strugglers have patience and not surrender  to the temptation  of short cuts.”

 Rakhi completely supports Saroj Khan in  the opinion that there is no coercion  involved when sexual favours are exchanged. “Nobody rapes  anyone in this  film industry. It’s all consensual and voluntary. In this,  I  fully support Saroj Khanji. At  least she has spoken her mind and let the world  know the  truth.People in Bollywood don’t  speak out the truth about the casting couch although it is happening  right here in front  of  their eyes. They feel they are making their way up why should they bother with what’s happening around them? Unka kya jata hai? I really admire Sarojji  for letting the world know the reality that  they have  to face every every day. Sarojji has seen  what goes here.I TOTALLY agree with her.”

The shocker from Sawant  is the revelation on how rampant sexual favours are in  the film industry. “Saroji has seen what goes on. Young girls are  willing to make any compromise to get going in their career. Aaj kal to ladkiyan kehti hain, ‘Kuch bhi kar  lo mujhekaam de do’. Iss mein  producer  ki kya ghalti hai? Saroj Khanji is not  wrong.A  lot  of  girls come in the film industry to become heroines but become something else…you understand what I am saying? Call it destiny or what  you will.”

Sawant’s  advice to  young aspirants? “Have faith in  your talent. Have patience. Don’t give in to short cuts.I’ve seen so  many girls throw themselves at producers.This is not good. I  don’t want to take any names. Lekin aisa hota hai.It shouldn’t be so. Salman Khan and Priyanka Chopra are superstars  because of their hard work and not for  any other reason. The ones who take the short cut end up on a different track altogether. Don’t do this to yourself. And don’t blame producers  for taking what you have to offer.”

Rakhi Sawant wants to stress that it’s not just girls who are casualties of  sexual compromise. “Boys are equally prone to compromise in the entertainment and fashion industry. I keep telling the strugglers  not to give in. Lekin  kya karenge, Mumbai hai hi itniexpensive city.I don’t want  to  denigrate  Bollywood. But because Saroj Khan has raised  her  voice I am supporting her.”