Actress Ratan Raajputh opens up about confronting Casting Couch
In a candid interview with the news channel Aaj Tak, Ratan Raajputh bravely revealed her personal experience of encountering the casting couch during auditions for a project. The seasoned actress, known for her roles in popular TV shows and reality programs, shed light on the incident to create awareness among the younger generation, despite such occurrences being relatively rare in the present industry landscape.
Recalling the unsettling incident from her early days in the industry, Ratan disclosed that she attended auditions at a hotel in Oshiwara, where she encountered several well-known actors waiting for their chance as well. A lower-level coordinator conducted her audition in the absence of the director and conveyed that she had been selected for the project. Trusting the words of assurance, Ratan continued with the process.
Notably, Ratan emphasized the importance of never attending auditions alone, always accompanied by a friend or a companion. On that particular day, she had her friend with her. Despite feeling unsure about the situation, Ratan received a script and was asked to prepare for a meeting. Subsequently, she was taken to another hotel, where her host insisted she have a cold drink.
Sharing the unnerving experience, Ratan said, “They offered us a cold drink and kept insisting on it. We took a sip, even though we didn’t want to. Then they said they would call me for another audition. My friend and I reached home, and I started feeling a bit uneasy. That was when I began wondering if there was something mixed in the cold drink.”
Transitioning from her career graph on television, where she rose to fame with her role as Laali in “Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya Hi Kijo,” Ratan embarked on her journey as an actress with the show “Raavan” in 2006. Her popularity earned her a reality show of her own, “Ratan Ka Rishta,” in 2010, and later, she appeared on Salman Khan’s “Bigg Boss 7.” Ratan was last seen in a cameo role in “Santoshi Maa” in 2020.
Currently, Ratan engages with her fans through vlogs, sharing valuable life experiences and wisdom with her audience. Through her candid revelation about the casting couch incident, she seeks to empower and educate aspiring talents, fostering an industry that prioritizes safety, professionalism, and respect.
