A reality TV contestant Akanksha Choudhary, who was eliminated from Lock Upp 2, shared her experience of having faced a casting couch situation early in her career. Akanksha revealed after her elimination that she had been caught in a casting couch situation at the very beginning of her career. She testified about her experience in the beauty pageant industry, claiming that an influential figure had offered sexual favors in exchange for financial assistance.
So Akanksha said she needed around ₹1–2 lakh to take part in a beauty pageant. The money was for clothes, training sessions, and other things. Her family was not able to arrange it, so she asked someone from the pageant industry to help.
According to Akanksha, the person had served as a judge at many beauty contests and was known to financially support aspiring contestants. Believing she would get help, she approached him.
Recalling the incident, Akanksha said when they met, the interaction quickly became uncomfortable.
"Mujhe kuch 1–2 lakh chahiye the, for garments, for training fees and whatever else," she said when she described her financial situation at the time.
She said the person approached her as if he was coming to say hello to her but acted inappropriately.
"Jab main gayi, woh aaye. Unhone pehle mujhe hug karne ke liye approach kiya, lekin hug karne ke bajaye unhone mujhe push kiya... aur mujhe grab kar liya," Akanksha alleged.
She said the man continued to hold her despite her resistance. According to Akanksha, she freed herself by pushing him away.
The reality star also claimed that the person then proposed a sexual arrangement in exchange for financial support.
According to her account, he told her that if she accepted his financial help, she would be expected to have a sexual relationship with him on a regular basis. Akanksha said she refused the alleged offer and chose not to take any assistance.
While sharing her story, Akanksha did not identify the individual she was talking about. At this point, the allegations are not verified, and no response from the person involved has been made public.
Her revelations have generated a lot of attention on social media, with many viewers praising her for sharing her experience, which she described as traumatic. Others have called for due process and no speculation about the identity of the accused while the accused is not confirmed in public.
The entertainment industry has had a lot of issues over the years regarding exploitation and the so-called "casting couch." Legal experts note that anyone who is sexually harassed or exploited should report the matter to the appropriate authorities, where the situation will be investigated.
So Akanksha’s statement has once again reopened the discussion on workplace safety, consent, and the difficulties that aspiring artists might face in getting work in the entertainment industry.
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