Anurag Kashyap’s Assistant Recalls An Incident Where A Young Actress Suggested Few Favours In Return For A Movie Role
After #MeToo allegations levelled against Anurag Kashyap, his assistant from back in 2004 reveals how a young actress was suggesting a few favours to the director for a movie role. Kashyap’s assistant shares how the actress wanted a role in the film Gulaal. Read On
This is the right time to recount this story. I was an assistant with @anuragkashyap72 in 2004. I was looking into secondary casting for ‘Gulaal’ and was meeting many actors. A young actress, who really wanted a part in the film insisted she wanted to meet Anurag.
— Jaydeep Sarkar (@sarkarjaydeep) September 20, 2020
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She waited a while and then Anurag got done with a narration and agreed to meet her. The young actress probably assumed the only way to get the role was through the ‘casting couch’. She tried suggesting a few ‘favours’ verbally.
— Jaydeep Sarkar (@sarkarjaydeep) September 20, 2020
but when Anurag politely ignored it, she gently let her sari pallu drop. A few times. At this point, Anurag got up and requested her to not do this. He told her she would get the part if she was the right fit and nothing else would work.
— Jaydeep Sarkar (@sarkarjaydeep) September 20, 2020
Saying this, he walked out of the room, disappointed. I was shocked by what I saw, but I had seen a hero get out of a situation, with respect and empathy for her. Later he told me he was disappointed that so many young women feel this is the only way they can make it.
— Jaydeep Sarkar (@sarkarjaydeep) September 20, 2020
I don’t blame the woman! Many like her come into the industry, believing this is how you get cast in a movie. And that may even be true, much like in any other field of work.
— Jaydeep Sarkar (@sarkarjaydeep) September 20, 2020
But having worked with Anurag, especially in casting, the one thing I always observed was his absolute respect for women.
— Jaydeep Sarkar (@sarkarjaydeep) September 20, 2020