EXCLUSIVE: Sandeepa Dhar On How She Avoided Casting Couch Experience; Says, “There Was An Entire #MeToo Movement That…”

Sandeepa Dhar is an Indian actress and dancer known for her work in Bollywood films and web series. She made her acting debut with Isi Life Mein (2010), earning a Filmfare nomination for Best Female Debut. Over the years, she has appeared in films like Heropanti and Dabangg 2. Along with web series such as Abhay and Mai. A trained dancer in various styles, Sandeepa’s versatility and screen presence have made her a notable name in the industry. In an exclusive interview, Sandeepa talks about how she avoided the casting couch experience.

Sandeepa Dhar On Casting Couch

In an exclusive chat with Bollywood Bubble, Sandeepa Dhar shares an anecdote on the casting couch experience. She says, “The thing is….okay so I was very aware about this, I feel like as a girl you are extra aware of these things because the general perception is that, the industry is not safe for women. So when you start off only knowing that the industry is generally filled with men, you’re extra careful. Every time I went for a meeting, I only met people in offices, never a coffee shop, never after a certain time, always took my manager along with me. Toh mere saath toh aisa kuch nahi hua, I didn’t have people approach me ki, ‘Aapko yeh karna padega,’ also the people that I worked with were not those kind of people.” (I was always aware of the industry’s perception of being unsafe for women, so I was extra careful. I only met people in offices, never in coffee shops or late hours, and always had my manager with me. Thankfully, I never faced such situations, and the people I worked with were professional.)

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She continued, “I never went for those kind of meeting and I did my background check, I feel like that’s where my education comes in, my research comes because I do my research. If I feel ki inka kuch gadbad lab raha hai, I’ll not go for the meeting. So it is what it is, I mean there was an entire ‘MeToo’ movement that happened, I don’t know what happened to the movement but, it’s the sad reality of the world that we live in that, men are who they are and women have to bare the obnoxiousness but I feel like, now at least things are changing a little bit.” (I never attended such meetings and always did my background checks. If something felt off, I simply didn’t go. The sad reality is that women have to endure men’s obnoxiousness, but I believe things are starting to change.)

On The Work Front

On the work front, Sandeepa Dhar is set to star in the upcoming web series Pyar Ka Professor, where she plays a key role alongside Pranav Sachdeva and Mahesh Balraj. Directed by Akshay Choubey, the series showcases her versatility as an actress. She recently shared insights about her role and career journey in an interview, while also teasing fans with a cryptic post from a script reading session for an undisclosed project. With a filmography that includes Isi Life Mein, Dabangg 2, Heropanti, 7 Hours To Go, and Kaagaz, Sandeepa continues to take on diverse roles, staying active in the industry and engaging with fans through social media.

Watch Full Interview

Also Read: Sana Khaan on Sandeepa Dhar and Ketika Sharma: These are fake feminists and home breakers

Aakruti Bagla

With over 4 years of experience, Aakruti Bagla is a Bollywood and Television enthusiast working as a content writer and anchor in Bollywood Bubble. Whether reporting on red carpet moments or diving into long-form features, she aims to tell stories that resonate with readers and reveal the people behind the personas.