There are only a handful of Bollywood actors who established themselves purely through their talent. These actors did not had any God father to launch and give them a first movie break. And, Swara Bhaskar is one among the fine actress who established herself through side roles in films like Tanu Weds Manu, Raanjhanaa, Tanu Weds Manu Returns and, progressed to lead actress role with the latest movie ‘Anaarkali of Aarah’.
Being outsider, we all know it’s not a cake walk to establish yourself in Bollywood. The glamour world is not all glitter as we all see. The shocking Hollywood’s Harvey Weinstein and Kevin Spacey sexual assualt cases stirred the world upside down. Many actors are coming out recollecting their own bitter experience. Actress Swara Bhaskar too came forward revealing the darker side of Bollywood.
The statement given by Swara Bhaskar on Sexual harrassment became prominent in the wake of bigger names coming from Hollywood. Veere Di Wedding actor Swara Bhaskar told Mumbai Mirror how she was harassed by a drunk film director on a film’s set, “I’ve been propositioned by men who were in a position to cast me. I lost a few roles because I didn’t give in. It made me vulnerable, nervous. Some people even stopped responding to my messages because they knew I would not give in. Being an articulate, educated girl they sensed that I would not take things lying down. When I was still fairly new, a director harassed me with texts and dinner invites. He stalked me during the day and called me through the night. I was asked to go to his hotel room on the pretext of discussing the scene and would find him drinking. During the first week itself, he started talking about love and sex and one night, arrived in my room, drunk, and asked to be hugged. It was scary!”
Also Read: Whaat? Swara Bhaskar Refuses A Role With Shah Rukh Khan For This Reason
Swara spoke in length on she was sexually harassed. She said, “There have been catcalls during shoots and eve-teasing on one of my sets. I’ve been groped by a mob during promotions and during a 56-day outdoor at a remote location, when I was still fairly new, the director harassed me with texts and dinner invites. He stalked me during the day and called me through the night. I was asked to go to his hotel room on the pretext of discussing the scene and would find him drinking. During the first week itself, he started talking about love and sex and one night, arrived in my room, drunk, and asked to be hugged. It was scary! I was young and alone. I would switch off the lights after pack-up and remove my make up in the dark so he would think I was asleep and stop calling me.”
Swara Bhaskar’s encouraging words to everyone who is going through sexual harassment everyday is, “Lose the part but don’t get on the couch.”
Wow!! The last sentence is so powerful that will remain with us forever.
