Yesterday we were all left shocked and might I say pretty appalled by a statement made by Saroj Khan. The famous choreographer, while talking about the rampant issue of casting couch that plagues the B-town industry said, “Casting couch at least provides livelihood.”
Yup guys, it seems that the #MeToo and #TimesUp movement never reached Bollywood and maybe never will.
Now, Ranbir Kapoor too was asked about the industry’s dirty secrets and the casting couch issue that is so rampant. He neither offered a criticism of Saroj Khan’s statement nor one on the exchange of sexual favours for work.
Ranbir made the comment while promoting his latest film. A journalist asked him to comment on the issue at hand and what he said was rather insensitive I feel.
He said,
“I have never faced it. If it’s there, it’s the worst kind.”
After the comment director Rajkumar Hirani, producer Vidhu Vinod Chopra and others on stage can be seen bursting into fits of laughter as if the entire issue was so trivial.
Watch the entire question and answer session here:
Twitterati obviously chimed into the controversy and offered their two cents on the matter.
1 . My expression exactly.
— José Covaco (@HoeZaay) April 24, 2018
2. True girl.
https://twitter.com/gaurichopra295/status/988711683161051136
3. I hear the ‘N’ word coming out.
Why would he??he's from celebrated Kapoor khandan ,he's on the otherside ..actually…
— Dolli (@desh_bhkt) April 24, 2018
4. And there it is.
Of course. Nepotism vaale kya jaane casting couch!
— Vasudha (@WordsSlay) April 24, 2018
5. Absolutely agree!
https://twitter.com/gaurichopra295/status/988725506756546561
6. One person’s opinion.
#RanbirKapoor the next thing he will say he never faced #Nepotism in bollywood. Born with sliver spoon in his mouth, so easy for people like him to laugh away such serious issues. #SanjuTeaser #castingcouch #CastingCouchTruth
— Nehamika (@brutemodeoff) April 24, 2018
7. Insensitive that’s the word.
https://twitter.com/C0d3rr0r/status/988709084403716096
8. That though.
Vidhu Vinod is beaming with joy as if #CastingCouch is a matter of pride for bollywood.
— Rohin Makkar (@rohino) April 24, 2018
Even if Ranbir Kapoor hadn’t faced the casting couch and had not been asked to give sexual favours for a job, it still doesn’t allow him to ridicule it. Maybe sensitivity and seeing the other side is something Bollywood needs to think about.