Following MiD DAY's expose of the casting couch in Bangalore, well-known models speak out about a problem they only talk about in whispers

Models in Bangalore say it is not uncommon for clients to ask them for sexual favours, but advise young aspirants to say a firm no.

MiD DAY's story in yesterday's edition about an aspiring model being asked for favours in return for an assignment has shocked the modelling world, but only because someone has dared to come out in the open.

Harsh truth: Model Radhika said she had lost a couple of assignments because she said no when asked for sexual favours

Many models, usually forthcoming with a ready opinion on everything from global warming to the pub deadline, clammed up when asked about something that affects their lives, but some refreshingly candid professionals in the business came out with their opinions.

We asked whether they had faced demands for sex in exchange for work, and how they had handled the problem, and this is what they said.

Sujith Sebastian
That never happened with me, and I don't think anyone would accept it in print if it had happened with them. They would never tell even a fellow model because word would spread like wildfire. I have been in this field for four years and I came up on my own merit. I have been lucky enough not to have faced the casting couch. Some gays do hit on me, but I also have gay friends who are very decent.