'He asked me to be friendly'

Bollywood and South actress Isha Koppikar recently spoke about her casting couch experience when she was 18 years old. Read on.

Actress Isha Koppikar's contribution to the entertainment industry is remarkable. Isha, who has been a part of various films, gained popularity with her role as 'Khalsa Girl' in Ram Gopal Varma's film. companyRecently, she sat down for a heartfelt conversation with YouTuber Siddharth KannanThe actress opened up about her casting couch experience when she was 18 and the actor asked her to compromise in exchange for a role in the film.

advertising

advertising

Esha said, “I was 18 when a secretary and an actor approached me for casting couch. They told me that to get work, I have to be 'friendly' with actors. I am very friendly, but what does 'friendly' mean? I am so friendly that Ekta Kapoor once told me to have some attitude.”

When she was 23, the actor asked her to meet him alone, without his driver or any staff, as they had heard rumours of his affairs with other actresses. He told her, “There are already controversies about me, and the staff spreads rumours.” Isha refused, saying she cannot come alone.

Isha Koppikar said in the same interview that actresses had left the industry during her time. She even said that many of them gave up and those who were in the industry also gave up.

Esha is very open about her personal and professional experiences. Two years ago, she spoke about her experience with the casting couch in an interview with the Indian Express. She revealed how the hero asked her to meet him alone, as he was accused of infidelity and wanted to avoid staff gossip. Esha insisted to the producer that her talent and looks should be enough to get her good work, and she refused to compromise on her integrity.

Talking about work, Isha Koppikar started her career as a model in the 90s and won the Miss Talent crown at the Miss India beauty pageant in 1995. She has worked in many Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Marathi films. Some of her notable Bollywood hits include Pyaar Ishq Aur Mohabbat, Hum Tum, Don, Darling and 36 China Town. Next, Isha will be seen in the Tamil film Ayalaan.