Many leading actresses in the Indian cinema have opened up about the casting couch that exists in the industry. In a shocking revelation, a young actor from the Malayalam movie industry too has opened up about a harrowing incident.
Actor Navajith Narayanan, who is known for his portrayal of the legendary Malayalam poet 'Changampuzha' in the superhit movie 'Aami' said, in a Facebook post that he had faced casting couch. He wrote that only the atrocities against women are discussed and wondered why the problems faced by men are ignored.
“I was in Kochi to meet a director. He knows very well that I have been looking for roles for the past few years. We were at his flat and talked about the works that I had done. Though a few of my female friends had told me earlier that the same person has asked for sexual favors in return for roles, what happened with me was totally appalling. He placed his hand on my thigh and asked, ‘What is my benefit if I cast you?’ I understood what he meant when he placed his hand on my thigh,” wrote Navajith.
Navajith further writes that he had to slap the director as he didn’t withdraw his hand even after the actor emphatically told him that he was not interested.
“It is because of rogues like him that the good name of those who approach movies genuinely too gets tarnished. Many may have had such experiences, and it would continue. So I just want to caution everyone to be alert,” Navajith concludes his Facebook post.
