New Delhi: After starring in hit Indian TV shows like Sadda Haq, Begusarai, Udaariyan, and Junooniyatt, Ankit Gupta has established himself as a household name in the hearts of television audiences. The actor previously participated in Salman Khan's ‘Bigg Boss 16’ last year, when he was voted out in week 12. One of the most talked-about aspects of Bigg Boss 16 was Ankit's connection with his Udaariyaan co-star Priyanka Chahar Choudhary. During a recent interview, Ankit disclosed his disturbing encounter with the casting couch phenomenon inside the entertainment industry.
Ankit Gupta revealed his casting couch experience when he was struggling in the industry. He told Pinkvilla, "I have met such people that I can’t even tell you. There are people, they call you with offers, and they tell you lots of stories and take a lot of names...Usko maine banaya, isko maine launch kiya (I made him, I launched him) to convince you.”
The actor continued by saying that this is what they told him: "Everybody does it, Ankit." You're looking for a job in the industry, right? Tu abhi nahi karega, 2-3 saal baad ayega, phir kahega aab kar lo, mein nahi karunga. (You aren't doing it now, but you will come back in a few years and then I won’t do it.) You don't have two or three years to waste.”
He ended by saying "I have met such people, I don’t know if I should say this on camera or not, they would go down on their knees and say, at least let me touch you."
The actor also said that the casting couch exists in every industry.
For the unversed, the casting couch refers to the common practice of demanding sexual favours from actors and actresses in exchange for roles in movies and theatre productions.