Bollywood celebrities and Twitterati slam Saroj Khan on insensitive casting couch remark

Veteran choreographer Saroj Khan’s unabashed defence of the casting couch sent a shock wave on the social media. The three-time National Award winner accepted its existence only to defend it.

During a media interaction, Khan had said, “Can I tell you one thing? This has been going on since the beginning of time. It hasn’t started now. Someone or the other tries to take advantage of every other girl. Even the government (sic) does it. Then why are you after the film industry? It provides livelihood at least. No one rapes and leaves you. It depends on the girl, what she wants to do. If you don’t want to fall into the wrong hands, you won’t. If you have art, why will you sell yourself? Don’t take the film industry’s name, it is everything for us.”

Though she later apologised for her comments the harm was done. Not only the netizens of social media but many Bollywood celebs slammed the veteran choreographer for her insensitive and ignorant comments. (Also Check: Shocking: Choreographer Saroj Khan defends casting couch in Bollywood)

Check out the comments slamming Saroj Khan here:

#Saroj khan ji women of india are competent based on “merit “ in every field , we do not require the “casting couch “to prove our capability. #Women are not victims of circumstances , we choose the circumstance that we want to be a part of.

— Shaina Chudasama Munot (@ShainaNC) April 24, 2018

I didn’t expect such derogatory & uncalled for statements from a veteran like #SarojKhan and totally condemn it. Our #EntertaimentIndustry, like all other industries respects women. #Exploitation of women is a crime and should be fought in all spheres of life.

— Ashoke Pandit (@ashokepandit) April 24, 2018

WTH?!!!! So much respect for Saroj-ji as a choreographer but this is how she uses her position to protect girls?!!! If I didn’t come from a financially sound background I would have returned to London within a month of being in mumbai cos of “industry folk” who think like that!! https://t.co/mUqql4MpFh

— Sophie C (@Sophie_Choudry) April 24, 2018

The right intent but very, very wrong words. Again, women are made incumbent to stop injustice against themselves & men have been absolved of their participation.
Stop the practice of sexual exploitation. In whichever industry it exists, it’s WRONG! https://t.co/ZA9Q51jqWn

— Shruti Seth (@SethShruti) April 24, 2018

I lost respect for you Saroj ma'am. Being an elder you should give a good path to young actresses. It is giving a wrong indication that you have to be a slave to producers: Sri Reddy (actress who alleged that women are sexual exploited by producers) on Saroj Khan's remark. pic.twitter.com/I9TWmLahrX

— ANI (@ANI) April 24, 2018

What the hell! What's wrong with this Woman, has she lost it completely! How can she defend Casting couch! It's akin to defending rape!

— iamsanjaybajla (@sanjay_bajla) April 24, 2018

Inka matlab hai ki main jisko kaam du usko pehle do kode maaru aur fir do roti de du to main mahaan hu ? pic.twitter.com/9dbX9Z4f5k

— Anchal Ghai (@ghai_anchal) April 24, 2018

Saroj Khan has choreographed most of Madhuri Dixit’s hit numbers and has also worked with Rani Mukerji, Aamir Khan, Kajol, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Raveena Tandon among others. She was also a judge on reality shows ‘Nach Baliye 5’ and ‘Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa’.