With movements like #MeToo and #TimesUp, it has been utterly clear that casting couch is real. Abusing women sexually in the name of providing work is persistent in the entertainment industries like Bollywood and even Hollywood. However, what is the worst imaginable thing that could make this horrible situation worse? Influential women in a position like Saroj Khan, a famous choreographer, defending casting couch. Saroj Khan recently commented on the issue of casting couch and sexual harassment against women. Her statement is not only misogynistic but highly disappointing and shameful.
Here's what she said:
'Yeh ladki ke upar hai ki tum kya karna chahti ho. Tum uske haath mein nahi aana chahti ho toh nahi aaogi. Tumhare paas art hai toh tum kyun bechoge apne aap ko? Film industry ko kuch mat kehna, woh humaara mai-baap hai'
'Yeh chala aa raha hai Baba azam ke zamaane se. Har ladki ke upar koi na koi haath saaf karne ki koshish karta hai. Govt ke log bhi karte hain. Tum film industry ke peeche kyun pade ho? Woh kam se kam roti toh deti hai. Rape karke chhod toh nahi deti: Saroj Khan on Casting Couch.' The 69-year-old, reputed choreographer's views are clearly blaming the women for the atrocities happening to them.
Yeh chala aa raha hai Baba azam ke zamaane se. Har ladki ke upar koi na koi haath saaf karne ki koshish karta hai. Govt ke log bhi karte hain. Tum film industry ke peeche kyun pade ho? Woh kam se kam roti toh deti hai. Rape karke chhod toh nahi deti: Saroj Khan on Casting Couch. pic.twitter.com/xvHxSbvhzg
ANI (@ANI) April 24, 2018
Yeh ladki ke upar hai ki tum kya karna chahti ho. Tum uske haath mein nahi aana chahti ho toh nahi aaogi. Tumhare paas art hai toh tum kyun bechoge apne aap ko? Film industry ko kuch mat kehna, woh humaara mai-baap hai: Saroj Khan on Casting Couch. pic.twitter.com/kYpPAPWMtB ANI (@ANI) April 24, 2018
People are infuriated and are in no mood to forgive her for what Saroj Khan said. Here are a few reactions from the people on Twitter:
Nothing to be surprised on #SarojKhan statement. Bollywood is basically a high class Prostitution world with cocktail of Underworld which keep people intoxicated & diverted.
Prashant P. Umrao (@ippatel) April 24, 2018
IRONIC that #SarojKhan says "Casting couch provides livelihood.Taking advantage of a girl is done with her consent" while world over & esp.Hollywood, Women came out with #Metoo campaign against this ugly side of the movie industry which views women as OBJECTS to be used & abused Rosy (@rose_k01) April 24, 2018
So #SarojKhan is exposing #Bollytards and saying film industry is full of rapist and Whores.. Ya Allah
Warrior Princess👸 (@MyloMegha) April 24, 2018
#sarojkhan world is going against sexual harassment but this Bollywood is promoting it. Nepotism ka platform tha yeh ab sexual harassment ka platform Bhi hai. Ayaan Tiwari (@ayaantiwaricr7) April 24, 2018
You gutter chap #SarojKhan , casting couch is nothing but innocents struggling to get job are being raped in the name of opportunity . If this is not rape then what is this ?
Going by her logic, what if that bjp mla offers money to rape victim to make her carrier is it ok? Secular Indian (@Prabhu143prince) April 24, 2018
What a shame. Never expected such comments from #SarojKhan on casting couch. Is she trying to say that rape someone and offer food to victim and it s justified ? Aa thu 👎👎. Wake up Saroj Ji. @ANI 🇮🇳 🇮🇳 (@HarshPoddar28) April 24, 2018
Seems #SarojKhan has lost her mind...looking for Bollywood actress people to come out against her holding placards.....#DoubleStandard
Recha Bajpai (@rech12) April 24, 2018
#sarojkhan Imagine what girls have to go through. getting abused by perverts just because they give work. How can anyone justify this. If bollywood don't speak now then they are cowards and are all part of this practice. @AnushkaSharma@sonamakapoor@ReallySwara@VishalDadlani Ayaan Tiwari (@ayaantiwaricr7) April 24, 2018
Livelihood can be provided to them without asking sexual favours too. No?
What's wrong is always wrong nothing can defend it.#SarojKhan the Guy next door (@insane_host) April 24, 2018
#SarojKhan For her its nothing wrong in selling yourself to get work. And to get away from being raped is an art. Go, teach this art to your daughter as well. Nobody blames the complete film industry, it's just a sect. The dirt sect, where you belong. pic.twitter.com/bsaoovy5zY Dakshita Garhwal (@DakshitaGarhwal) April 24, 2018
Image: Twitter/@mastersarojkhan
Tweets: Twitter/@ANI
