The Opinionated Indian's blind item has recently brought the dark side of Bollywood back into the limelight. It points to a famous director who has won all kinds of accolades for his films and who has supposedly taken advantage of a struggling actress' situation. The whole thing makes one aware of the extent to which casting couch practice among the film artists is still alive.

Blind Item

This filmmaker is a big name in Bollywood. He has given several hits on the romance, comedy & horror genres. He has been part of the industry for several decades. His last few movies have been blockbusters. As per a source, a struggling actress approached him for a role in his movies. After several rounds of auditions & discussions, the filmmaker called her to his office. Upon reaching his office, he told her that he would offer her the movie, but she had to accompany him to his bungalow situated at a hill station near Mumbai. She flatly refused & left his office. Goes without saying that she did not land the role. It is well known in industry circles that the filmmaker owns a lavish bungalow at a hill station, which is a few hours away from Mumbai. Several outsider actresses have had to spend nights at his bungalow to get acting jobs in his movies. Some of them were never seen in any movie after their debut in his movies.

Further complicating matters is the fact that this situation is by no means unique. Some industry insiders insinuate that the director involved has had some serious skills when it comes to getting away with things and that his success and reputation have been his tacit protection all the while. Rumors have it that his office meetings with new girls always come along with some silent expectations, and those who do not “meet the standards” are quietly let go. It is believed that this cycle has existed for a long time and is only to be seen through his aura of a creative genius and hitmaker.

Being a party to the whispers are tales of all-night parties and “weekend script readings” at his hill-station bungalow, which are considered to be really exclusive and absolutely unofficial. It is also heard that a number of young actresses have been introduced to the industry merely because they were seen at his place, while there are also others who have disappeared just as fast, leaving behind questions unasked. All this is never really admitted officially, yet the gossip machine keeps going, thereby strengthening the perception that talent in Bollywood is often less of a prerequisite than knowing the right people and those with power behind closed doors.

Our Guess

Filmmaker- Anees Bazmee