In the glamorous world of cinema, the line between acting and exploitation can sometimes blur. Actresses, particularly those starting, often face unreasonable demands that extend far beyond the script. There are many Actresses who were asked to get intimate with co-stars off-camera.

A recent Times of India article highlighted this disturbing trend, with actress Radhika Apte sharing an experience where she was pressured to be intimate with a co-star off-screen to land a role.

Beyond the Script: Actresses Speak Out on Off-Camera Pressure

Radhika Apte’s story is just one of many. Here are some other instances where actresses have spoken out about inappropriate requests:

Bollywood’s Casting Couch

Indian actress Mallika Sherawat revealed in a 2018 interview that she lost roles for refusing off-screen intimacy with co-stars. She faced accusations of being “immoral” for on-screen portrayals, and some actors felt entitled to intimacy after seeing her perform romantic scenes.

Hollywood Actresses who were asked to get intimate with co-stars off-camera

Ashley Judd: The veteran actress detailed how a powerful Hollywood producer summoned her to a secluded hotel room for a meeting, only to be met in a bathrobe. Judd refused his advances and the band believed hurt her career prospects.

Cara Delevingne: The model-turned-actress revealed a different kind of inappropriate request. She described a director asking her to audition in her underwear, a situation far outside the boundaries of a professional acting tryout.

Veteran actress Sharon Stone discussed a disturbing encounter from her early career on the SiriusXM show “Let’s Talk Off Camera” with Kelly Ripa. The 65-year-old described the incident.

It occurred in the 1980s as a personal #MeToo moment that deeply shook her. Stone bravely shared that a former Sony executive sexually harassed her. She said he took his penis right out in my face during a business meeting.

Rosario Dawson: Dawson recounted a situation. Where a director crossed a professional line by making lewd comments about her body during an audition. [Source: IndieWire]. These comments were unwelcome and irrelevant to the role she was auditioning for.

From Hollywood to Bollywood

So, These are just a few examples. The pressure can be immense for actresses, especially those new to the industry. The fear of being ostracized or losing out on opportunities can make it difficult to speak up against such demands. This isn’t just a Hollywood issue.

Moreover, Actresses around the world have shared similar stories. Actresses in Bollywood, like Apte, have also spoken out about similar casting couch experiences. Where filmmakers pressure actresses for sexual favours in exchange for roles.

Moreover, in South Korea, the #MeToo movement gained momentum after several actresses came forward with allegations of sexual assault, by powerful figures in the entertainment industry.

Hence, It’s important to acknowledge the bravery of these actresses for speaking out. By shining a light on these practices, they can help create a safer and more professional environment for all.

Here’s what can be done:

The world of cinema should be a place for creativity and storytelling, not exploitation. Actresses deserve to be respected professionals, and their talent, not their bodies, should be the key to success.