First filmmaker Anubhav Sinha, now writer Apurva Asrani has spoken on Kartik Aaryan’s bullying with baseless stories of his ouster from prestigious projects doing the round. When I contacted him Apurva was still seething at the sheer unfairness of a young star from outside the film industry being made to feel like an outsider. “There is usually a certain type of actor that is bullied like this. Very rarely are these actors from film families and are usually self-made youngsters who defied the system to make a mark for themselves.”
The problem according to Apurva arises when such a non-connected actor from the outside asserts his right to examine a film offer before accepting it. “If they demand any kind of creative or contractual control over their projects, they are labelled arrogant troublemakers.”
Apurva reveals how some producers try to control the flow of talent into the entertainment industry. “Some industry 'gatekeepers' use journalists, PR and media to do their dirty work. They surreptitiously destroy the reputation of anyone who questions their bullying. But after Sushant Singh Rajput , more people are speaking up. The fact that filmmaking is more democratized and corporate controlled today might be the reason for this overdue shift.”
About Kartik staying mum over attempts to tarnish his image as a professional actor Apurva opines, “If an industry is functioning in a healthy manner, there will be enough members who will show spine and speak up for their peers. Today Kartik doesn't need to speak, he can continue to do his work, there are enough conscientious people who are speaking for him. Sushant was not spoken for while he was alive.”
Image source: Instagram/apurva_asrani// SpotboyE archive