Isha Koppikar recalls casting couch experience during her early days: ‘They would just come and touch your arm and…’ | Filmymeet

Isha Koppikar became emotional while recounting her experiences with the casting couch during the early days of her career in the industry.
In an interview with Siddharth Kannan, Isha shared her perspective on the challenges she faced after being typecast in item numbers. She explained that the power to decide roles often rested with the heroes and actors, making it tough for those with strong values.Many actresses chose to leave the industry during that time, either conceding to the pressure or quitting altogether. She noted that only a few, including herself, have remained in the industry without giving up.

Reflecting on a traumatic casting couch experience at 18, she recounted how a secretary and an actor suggested that being ‘friendly’ with actors was necessary for getting work. She expressed confusion over what ‘friendly’ truly meant, noting her naturally friendly nature, and humorously recalled Ekta Kapoor once advising her to show more attitude.

Koppikar also shared an incident from when she was 23, involving an A-list actor who asked her to meet him alone, without her driver or anyone else, citing rumors about his relationships with other actresses. Despite his assurances that the staff spread false rumors, she declined and insisted on not coming alone.

Isha also recounted unsettling experiences with the secretaries of actors and directors, who would inappropriately touch her and suggest that she needed to be very ‘friendly’ with the actors. She described their actions as sleazy, with some squeezing her arm while making such suggestive remarks.