Saanand Verma, known for his portrayal of Anokhe Lal Saxena in Bhabhi Ji Ghar Par Hai, has opened up about a deeply distressing incident of sexual assault, from his past.
At just 13 years old, while nurturing aspirations of pursuing cricket, he encountered a distressing situation during a cricket match at a training academy in Patna, Bihar. The attempted sexual exploitation by an individual left him profoundly frightened, resulting in a lasting impact on his relationship with cricket.
“It happened to me once, during a cricket match. When I was 13, I desperately wanted to be a cricketer. I went to a cricket training academy in Patna, Bihar. There, a big guy tried to exploit me. I was extremely scared and ran away. Since then, I have stayed away from cricket,” Saanand told Times Now.
Verma’s decision to share his story publicly deserves commendation. It takes considerable courage to confront such painful memories and speak out about them. His bravery in doing so may serve as an inspiration for others who have undergone similar experiences, encouraging them to seek support and justice.
Saanand went on to disclose that the incident left an indelible mark on his psyche, but paradoxically, it also contributed to his strength.
He expressed, “Whatever happened to me in my childhood is a terrible memory, many terrible things have happened to me before. When a person has endured so much suffering, no other pain matters to them.”
In addition to sharing his ordeal, the FIR actor delved into the prevalent issue of the casting couch within the showbiz industry. Acknowledging its existence, he recounted conversations with industry peers who confided in him about their “painful experiences.”
Despite his fortunate avoidance of such encounters, he emphasized the gravity of the issue, stating, “Casting couch exists here. I can’t give two opinions on this, but fortunately, nothing like this has ever happened to me. No one has ever approached me in this way.”
Having established himself in the television industry for over a decade, Verma’s credits extend beyond his notable role in Bhabhi Ji Ghar Par Hai.
His repertoire includes appearances in shows such as CID, Laapataganj, and Gupp Chupp, alongside roles in films like Raid, Mardaani, Babli Bouncer, Chhichhore, and Mission Raniganj.