Rakhi Sawant backs Saroj Khan on casting couch controversy, says it’s consensual

Mumbai: Never one to shy away from calling a spade a shovel, Rakhi Sawant now has a rather startling opinion on the on-going debate on casting couch and sexual harassment of strugglers in the film industry. Rakhi admits to being a victim.

“When I was a struggler, yes I did face the casting couch. But it wasn’t as if every producer or director I approached was guilty. As in every walk of life, there is sexual corruption in the film industry also. As far as I was concerned, this was just in the beginning. But I had talent and I didn’t have to give in. I learnt to say no.

And I used my talent as an artiste to make my way through life. I suggest all strugglers to have patience and not surrender to the temptation of shortcuts,” she said. Rakhi completely supports Saroj Khan in the opinion that there is no coercion involved when sexual favours are exchanged. “Nobody rapes anyone in this film industry. It’s all consensual and voluntary. In this, I fully support Sarojji. I totally agree with her.” The shocker from Rakhi is the revelation on how rampant sexual favours are in the film industry.