Isha Koppikar reveals casting couch: I was asked to meet alone, but i refused

Isha Koppikar, a prominent actress known for her work in Hindi and South Indian films, recently shared her casting couch experience in a candid interview. Koppikar, who made her Hindi film debut with "Fiza," revealed that she faced such an incident when she was just 18 years old.

In an interview with Siddharth Kannan, Isha Koppikar was asked if she ever sought substantial roles from producers after being typecast following her item numbers. She explained that the decision-making power often rested with the heroes and leading actors, not the actresses. Despite the challenges, she pointed out that many actresses from her era left the industry, but she persisted and continues to work in films.

Recounting her casting couch experience, Isha said, “I was 18 when a secretary and an actor approached me for casting couch. They told me that to get work, you have to be friendly with actors. I am very friendly, but what does friendly mean? I am so friendly that Ekta Kapoor once told me to have some attitude.”

She further revealed another unsettling incident when she was 23. An A-list actor from the Hindi film industry asked her to meet him alone, without his driver or any staff, because of existing rumors about his involvement with other actresses. Isha recalled the actor’s words, “He said, ‘There are already controversies about me, and the staff spreads rumors.’" She refused his request, stating that she couldn’t come alone.

Additionally, Isha spoke about inappropriate behavior from the secretaries of actors and directors. She mentioned that they would touch her inappropriately, squeezing her arm and insisting that she needed to be "friends" with actors to get roles.

Isha Koppikar’s revelations shed light on the dark side of the entertainment industry, highlighting the challenges actresses face. Despite these experiences, Koppikar has maintained her integrity and continues to be a part of the industry, standing as a testament to her resilience.