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Abhishek Banerjee Says Bollywood’s 'Casting Couch' Was Common, Sees Post-MeToo Change

He says his company forbade off-site meetings to keep casting strictly professional.

Overview

  • Banerjee says requests for sexual favours were once a routine part of Bollywood casting.
  • He reports fewer coffee shop and dinner meetings since the MeToo movement, with fewer direct advances toward women.
  • He says Casting Bay enforced a rule against meeting actors outside the office and that violations meant termination.
  • He recalls actors assuming a quid pro quo after being cast and expressing surprise when roles were awarded purely on merit.
  • He describes flirting and informal pressure as a regular presence in casting offices despite greater caution post-MeToo.