‘I was never a random sleazy girl, who anybody could take for a ride’
The debate around the existence of casting couch in the film industry is far from getting over. Actor Ishita Raj Sharma, who won praise for Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety is the latest one to join the list of actors who’ve shares their views on the matter.
“I did come across some such people, who tried to act over smart but it was during my initial days in the [film] industry. But, as long as I knew what I had to do and where I had to be, I knew these things were irrelevant,” says Ishita, who made her debut in Bollywood with Pyaar Ka Punchnama (2011).
The actor is quick to add that that “those, who come to Bollywood, think it’s very easy to get work by sleeping around but they must know you never get work if you do that.”
Ishita calls herself “somewhat lucky” not to have encountered too many indecent instances. “I got my debut film while I was still in Delhi. So, technically, I stepped into Bollywood with a blockbuster. Hence, nobody could directly take advantage of me, because I was never a random sleazy girl, who anybody could take for a ride. I was never that gullible,” says Ishita, adding, “I believe if you have the talent and guts, you don’t need to give in to such cheap demands. I was always confident about myself and the fact that I can make it on my own in the right way.”
Ishita also feels that when newcomers enter the film industry, they should not forget where are they coming from. “I always remember that I’ve got a responsibility on my shoulders, which is to take care of my parent’s name. I’ve come here to make them proud. I want to be an actor through my own struggle, so I never paid heed to all these things. My focus is to give as many auditions and get good films,” she signs off.