Malti Chahar opens up about casting couch experiences, sharing how she stood her ground against inappropriate advances in the film industry.

Following her return to the spotlight following her time on Bigg Boss 19, Malti Chahar has ignited discussion once more, this time by being open about her experiences in the film industry. Being the sister of Indian cricketer Deepak Chahar, the actor-director recently talked about her experience on the casting couch and said that a senior filmmaker once tried to kiss her without her permission.

Malti Chahar on the industry’s casting couch

During an appearance on a podcast with Siddharth Kannan, Malti talked about an event involving a well-known South Indian producer from her early career. “I have never been approached by a casting director,” she recalled. However, a long time ago, when I was just starting out in the business, a director made an attempt to court me. Because they are afraid, no one speaks outright; instead, they hint. I met with a major producer in the South, had the narration, and then left for home. The producer then provided me his room number when the director wanted me to meet him. I didn’t go, then.

She continued by describing how indirect pressure caused the situation to worsen. The director then called and asked why I hadn’t gone. I asked him why he wanted to show me his room. I acted differently even though he kept subtly asking me to comprehend how things operate in the sector. I agreed when he claimed he would explain everything when we met. However, we never crossed paths again, so they get away with it this way.

Malti remembers an unsettling encounter

Malti also revealed another unsettling occurrence involving a senior director, claiming excessive physical behavior, without naming the person. “I was giving him a side hug on the way out, and he tried to kiss me on the lips in return,” she remembered. That was rude, and I returned it to him at that then. I felt terrible when this occurred in his workplace. Why would you do that? didn’t stay in touch with him after that. After the job was completed, he tried on me. And I couldn’t figure out why he did that! This was such foolishness.

“He was a very old person,” Malti continued, reflecting on how profoundly the incident touched her. I couldn’t comprehend what had just transpired. I stopped him right away, and we never spoke again. He was like a father figure to me. I learned from that experience to never place somebody on a pedestal. I was astonished and deeply offended. I never thought someone that age could act that way. I was acquainted with his whole family. He didn’t even anticipate me telling them. I told him I was upset, and then I simply left.

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Malti also discussed how establishing boundaries helped her deal with awkward circumstances in the field. She expressed her viewpoint by saying, “I listen to anything about casting couches.I believe that someone has attempted it once or twice, but they have not crossed the line since they are aware of your personality. Here, people are incredibly intelligent. They are aware of the discipline I exhibit in my conversations, as well as my body language and speech patterns. But you also lose work when they realize that things can’t go their way.

“No one did anything so bad that I would be very very shocked because it was in my hands,” she continued. Only women are in charge. Women alone are to blame for any pointless events that occur in this sector. It’s true that not all guys act appropriately, but you have to acknowledge that men will attempt to flirt with you in order to take advantage of their status and authority. However, you shouldn’t give in to them if you have a strong personality. My father gave me that solid foundation, and I had support.

Malti Chahar was a prominent figure on Bigg Boss 19 because to her strong beliefs and loud personality. She was one of the top six finalists.