While Hollywood bigwigs stood united against Harvey Weinstein sex scandal, Bollywood has often discussed the issue of casting couch and sexual harassment in a hush-hush manner. Veteran choreographer, Saroj Khan who has been a part of the film industry for over six decades now shocked everyone by defending the practice of casting couch in the film industry. Veteran choreographer Saroj Khan has said it's done with consent and at least provides livelihood.
The 69-year-old, who has choreographed more than 2000 songs in her career, further said the 'tradition' has been going on since centuries and blaming just Bollywood is unfair.
This is going on from 'baba Adam's times', it is not new. Someone or the other always tries to take an advantage of a girl. The government officials do it too, then why are we only behind the film industry? It provides livelihood at least," she said. Further putting her view forward, she said as to why would anyone want to sell herself if she is confident about her talent. "Does not rape and leave you. It is up to the girl, what she wants to do. If you don't want to fall into wrong hands, you won't. If you are talented, why would you sell yourself? Don't blame the film industry's name, it is everything to us,? she said.
This statement coming from a woman in Bollywood got a lot of flak and as a result the veteran choreographer had to issue an apology for the same. Saroj Khan's response when quizzed about Telugu actor Sri Reddy's nude protest against casting couch didn't go down well with the public and she later apologised for her the same on national news channel.
(With ANI inputs)
