Bigg Boss 17 alum Ayesha Khan sheds light on the prevalence of the casting couch phenomenon in the entertainment industry, recounting incidents where she felt uncomfortable due to the advances of older men. Speaking about her time in Mumbai, Khan highlighted instances of harassment and unwelcome behavior she encountered.
During an interview with Hauterrfly, Ayesha Khan disclosed several unsettling encounters she faced in the industry, where individuals purportedly offering opportunities leveraged their positions to exploit vulnerable women.
Reflecting on her early acting career, Ayesha shared an incident involving a management agency that pressured her into wearing revealing attire for a photoshoot, dismissing her concerns with assertions that such practices were commonplace and necessary for success.
“They got me few options of clothes to wear and I was very excited. They got a netted black top, which I had to wear and click pictures. I thought ok I will wear an inner and do this. Then the man was like, ‘No we wanted this to be seductive, sensual so don’t wear anything under.’ The top had nets so I obviously asked how, and why and they were like, ‘No no, the picture frame will be above your chest.’ But I told him that how does it make sense because he would still be sitting in front of me.
Ayesha emphasized her refusal to compromise her principles for professional gain, asserting her boundaries and rejecting exploitative situations. She expressed frustration with the manipulation tactics employed by some individuals, who invoked influential names to justify their behavior.
“He told me, ‘Arey nahi aisa he hota hai, sab aise he karte hai.’ What I hate in situations like these is that these men then suddenly drop big names,’ ‘How do you think these people got films and are so successful today?’ I don’t ever want to put myself in an uncomfortable position just to get a certain sort of work. I have a strong boundary that I don’t cross. Kaam nahi dena mat do, aap meri kismat nahi cheen sakte mujhse.”
Ayesha Khan revealed that incidents of discomfort extended beyond professional settings, recalling an unsettling encounter at Juhu beach where she felt surrounded and unsafe due to unwelcome attention from a group of men. Despite attempts to intimidate her, Khan stood her ground and confronted the situation, drawing attention to the inappropriate behavior.
“I was at Juhu beach after a stressed day. Then a man came next to me, then another and later I was surrounded by 3-4 men, and I felt I was unsafe. After a point I felt I should just leave. They also pretend to be on call and talk like, ‘The way she was looking that day, what she was wearing…’ I then confronted him in a loud voice so that people around hear and asked what was he saying, who was he talking about, and the man nonchalantly replied, ‘Am I saying anything to you? I am just talking on call.’ I said yes of course and left from there. My hands were shivering while saying this. A woman knows your intent simply by one touch or even a gaze.”
Recalling the most distressing encounter, Ayesha Khan recounted an incident where an elderly man made lewd remarks about her physique, leaving her feeling violated and unsettled.
The encounter served as a stark reminder of the pervasive nature of harassment faced by women, even in seemingly innocuous settings.
“Once when I was out near my building, there was an uncle older than even my dad, who was on a two wheelers. I was walking towards my building and I saw that he was stopping while driving next to me. I thought maybe he knows my father. So I turned around and asked, ‘Yes uncle tell me?’ and he replied, ‘Your b***s are nice.’ He said that and went! I was numb to even register what had happened. He went ahead, stopped the two wheeler and turned to look at me again and smiled. He had that look which said, ‘Dekh tujhe maine kya keh diya.‘
Watch the viral interview here:
Through her candid revelations, Khan sheds light on the challenges faced by women in the entertainment industry and the importance of standing up against exploitation and harassment.