Veteran chorographer Saroj Khan who is known for choreographing for films such as Tezaab, Mr.India,Chandni, Nagina, Thanedaar, Devdas, Jab We Met etc. is not someone who is known for polishing her words or even thinking before she speaks. Now it comes as no shocker that she has given another outrageous remark concerning the casting couch that is prevalent in the glamour industry. While the Telugu film industry is reeling under the allegations made by Sri Reddy, Khan has gone ahead and justified the practice of casting couch on the pretext that it gives work.
Casting Couch is a term that defines the exchange of sexual favours for work in the film industry. Bollywood, as well as Hollywood, has been reeling under the controversies and the campaigns like #MeToo and #TimesUp has been gaining momentum and strength the world over. The Harvey Weinstein controversy brought a whole lot of women working in Hollywood to come out and share their stories of being harassed and victimized. However, looks like Saroj wasn’t impressed. At a press conference held in Mumbai on Tuesday, she described the casting couch as an “age-old” practice and asked, "why the entertainment industry alone should be targeted."
Her remarks fuelled severe backlash and she has now apologized for her unsavoury comments. Khan, who is a three-time National Award-winner and who is the first recipient of the Best Choreographer award told reporters at a press conference, “Tum film industry ke peeche kyun pade ho? Woh kam se kam roti toh deti hai. Rape karke chhod toh nahi deti. (Why are you targeting the film industry? At least, it gives you work and doesn't abandon you)."
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https://twitter.com/ANI/status/988632319257915393
Apparently, Saroj Khan believes that women are not vulnerable and said that the casting couch is founded on the principle of consent and that artists have a choice of not working with people who have made sexual advances. She said, “Tumhare paas art hai toh tum kyun bechoge apne aap ko? (Why would you sell yourself if you have the talent?)" She also went ahead and warned reporters to not to say anything to the film industry because "woh humaara mai-baap hai." Thanks to Khan's remarks once again the main issue of exploiting women and objectifying them will be accepted as a practice that has been happening since time immemorial and hence there is no need to change the perspective.
However, later, after facing severe backlash, Saroj apologised for making the remark. "Whatever the question, you don't know... You just know my answer. So it is sounding wrong. But anyhow, I am sorry. I apologise," Khan told a media agency. When probed as to what was the question, Khan disconnected the call.
