Actor Ankit Gupta On Casting Couch: "They Go Down On Their Knees And Say Let Me Touch You"

Ankit Gupta is known for his work in Udaariyan and Bigg Boss

Actor Ankit Gupta is one of the most popular faces on Indian television today. However, his rise to stardom was not without its fair share of struggle. Speaking to Pinkvilla, Ankit Gupta opened about having faced the horrors of the casting couch early in his career. The actor said that several people would meet him, promise him job opportunities in return for favours. When asked if Ankit Gupta had ever faced the casting couch in his career, the star said with a wry smile, “I have met such people that I can't even tell you. There are people, they call you with offers, and they tell you lots of stories and they take a lot of names… usko mein banaya, isko mein launch kiya [ I launched that person], to convince you they would say anything.”

Sharing what he was told by those engaging in such activities, Ankit Gupta said, “‘Everybody does it, Ankit. You want to work in the industry? This is how it's done. Tu abhi nahi karega, 2-3 saal baad ayega, phir kahega aab kar lo, mein nahi karunga (You are not doing it right now, but you will return after a few years and agree to do it then.) You don't wanna waste 2-3 years.'” 

Ankit Gupta added, “I have met such people… I don't know if I should say this on camera or not, they would go down on their knees and say, at least let me touch you. That's it, nothing.”