We have often heard the stories of female actors openly coming out and speaking about facing casting couch. But even men are spared. In a candid and hard-hitting conversation that has once again pulled back the curtain on Bollywood’s uncomfortable truths, senior journalist Simi Chandoke spoke openly about the casting couch culture and the industry’s complicated relationship with sexuality. Appearing on the Verinteresting podcast, Chandoke addressed exploitation, discrimination, and the silent fears that continue to exist behind the glamour of Indian cinema.

Speaking from years of industry observation, Chandoke firmly stated that the casting couch is not a myth, but a reality many aspiring actors, both men and women have faced. She stressed that while conversations often focus on female victims, male actors have also been subjected to inappropriate propositions, especially during their struggling years. Stay tuned with The GossipGully.com.

To support her point, Chandoke referenced two prominent names who have previously spoken about their experiences.

Ranveer Singh, in earlier interviews, had revealed that during his early career, a man once approached him under the pretext of reviewing his portfolio, only to ask for sexual favours instead. Ranveer reportedly refused and walked away without hesitation.

Similarly, Ayushmann Khurrana has shared a disturbing incident where a casting director allegedly told him he could land a lead role only if he showed “his tool.” Ayushmann declined the offer, choosing dignity over opportunity.

These accounts, Chandoke noted, highlight that casting couch exploitation cuts across gender lines and has existed for decades in the industry.

What truly reignited debate, however, was Chandoke’s assertion about fear and prejudice surrounding openly gay directors in Bollywood. According to her, many actors are hesitant to work with directors who are publicly gay—not purely due to homophobia, but also because of anxieties linked to the casting couch and how such collaborations might be perceived.

She explained that even today, actors who identify as gay or bisexual often avoid coming out publicly. The fear stems from concerns about box office acceptance, audience perception, and career longevity, especially since most mainstream actors are still expected to play heterosexual romantic leads opposite female co-stars.

Chandoke also hinted that there are directors within industry circles whose sexuality is an open secret, but who choose not to acknowledge it publicly. She claimed that if these filmmakers were to openly come out, some actors might hesitate to collaborate with them—regardless of their talent—due to entrenched bias, rumours, and fear of association.

While Bollywood has made visible progress in on-screen representation—through films exploring same-sex relationships and LGBTQ themes—internal acceptance within the industry remains limited. Sexuality, power dynamics, and professional trust continue to be deeply intertwined.

Chandoke’s remarks have drawn mixed reactions. Some have welcomed her honesty, calling it a necessary conversation that exposes long-ignored realities. Others urge caution against sweeping generalisations and stress the importance of addressing discrimination without reinforcing stereotypes.

In the post-#MeToo era, several industry professionals have acknowledged the harm caused by exploitative practices, and there has been growing resistance to such behaviour. Yet, as Chandoke’s comments reveal, silence, fear, and bias still persist—often behind closed doors.

Whether this renewed discussion leads to meaningful change remains uncertain. But one thing is clear: conversations around casting couch, sexuality, and power in Bollywood are once again firmly in the spotlight—and refusing to be ignored.