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The real victims of the casting couch

Updated on: 27 March,2011 07:41 AM IST |
Subhash K Jha |

...are directors, according to a new film to be made on Bollywood's worst-kept secret

...are directors, according to a new film to be made on Bollywood's worst-kept secret

Tentatively titled Kasak, Rohit Jugraj's story is that of a young starlet who wrongly accuses a filmmaker.

Director Rohit Jugraj

Jugraj says, "I began writing a script from the perspective of a starlet, who says she is a victim of the casting couch. Gradually, we move away from her viewpoint and realise that she has been making up stories. I was inspired by a French film with a similar plot where at mid-point we realise the protagonist is lying to us."

Jugraj says he began thinking along these lines "since the time accusations of sexual misconduct were made against a powerful director of heroine-centric films," referring to accusations made against Madhur Bhandarkar.
Jugraj however feels such claims adversely affect the film industry.

"Filmmakers refuse to meet newcomers. And if they do, they want to meet them in a public space. Producers now have cameras installed in their offices. New talent can never flourish in such a suffocating atmosphere.

Nowadays, even I don't bring any man, woman or child, home. I've stopped dating for the last one year. What if we break up and the girl accuses me of rape because I didn't give her a role in my film?" asks Jugraj.

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