The casting couch controversy that shook the Telugu film industry with the shocking revelation of actress Sri Reddy is now gaining momentum with more actresses coming out in open with stories of sexual exploitation.
After Sri Reddy protested against the casting couch in Tollywood by stripping naked in the street, now 15 women junior artistes in a press meet disclosed shocking details about the way they are being subjected in the film industry.
They said for a chance in film they are forced to do whatever the director demands. Even after it they are only given a scene in the film. A junior artist said she even have to undergo a surgery to change her skin tone after a director persuaded to do so.
"From 18 years I am acting in films. Now I usually get roles as sister or mother. Those who call me 'Amma' (mother) in film set asks me to share bed with them during the night. After WhatsApp became popular, they force to chat in the night," said Sandhya Naidu, who has been in the industry for long.
Other than the sexual exploitation, they say the conditions in the film location are pathetic.
“We have to change clothes outdoors behind a stretched saree or a building. While the managers ask us to use the caravans of the stars, we are not allowed to do that. We are treated like worms," she said.
The junior artistes demanded that this exploitation should stop and for this they want to elect representatives from among them to address these issues. They said in the press meet that Tollywood should be made a woman friendly place putting an end to the inhuman practises meted out to women working in the field.