Bollywood resembles a strange universe, governed by its own laws; whose inhabitants share a tacit understanding about things they can and cannot broach. Breaking these rules may have severe and lasting consequences. Speak about nepotism and you will be ostracised à la Kangna Ranaut. Take on a powerful bully and watch your thriving career implode in front of your own eyes like Vivek Oberoi did.

One of the many things one can’t talk about is the casting couch, the proverbial elephant in the room that is Bollywood. To put it in plain words, it involves demanding sexual favours in exchange of plum roles and opportunities in the industry. The practice is probably as old as the industry itself but one that is rarely discussed.

But something changed in 2004 when a young starlet by the name of Preeti Jain accused director Madhur Bhandarkar of sexually exploiting her after promising her a role in his next film. For the first time, the Indian public was acquainted with the term casting couch, thanks to its liberal use by the news media. Bollywood, on the other hand, was faced with a rather uncomfortable task of dodging questions related to the sleazy practice. “I don’t know if it exists since I never had to face it,” was the stock response one got every time.

More controversies followed when actor Shakti Kapoor propositioned an undercover journalist in 2005 who was posing as an actress, confirming our greatest doubts about casting couch and Bollywood. Since then, some actors like Radhika Apte and Ranveer Singh have intermittently spoken about the practice. But it was veteran choreographer Saroj Khan who raised a lot of eyebrows with her bizarre argument in defence of the casting couch.

Speaking to PTI in response to actress Sri Reddy’s nude protest against the practice, Saroj Khan 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. The government's people do it too. Then why are you after the film industry? It provides livelihood at lead. Does not rape and leave you. It depends upon the girl, what she wants to do. If you don't want to fall in wrong hands, you won't. If you have art, then why would you sell yourself? Don't take film industry's name, it is everything for us."

While Saroj’s honest admission about the casting couch is a refreshing change from the coached responses we hear from others in the industry, it is wrong on many other levels. One can say that she has been in Bollywood for too long. Perhaps, she has internalised the systematic abuse in the industry and has learnt to look the other way. So instead of opposing the warped workings of the powerful industry, many in the industry picked the path of least resistance and decided simply go with it. Broaching the issue may have stirred up the hornets’ nest, inviting more trouble and humiliation. Women (and men) before them have done it and many of their contemporaries have been doing it. Why should they be any different?

Saroj also mentions how Bollywood looks after its own by not abandoning them after raping them. This goes to show how low the bar is set for the industry. Never mind that you abused them. As long as you take care of them, you are good to go. Call us crazy, but this is just classic Stockholm syndrome, where the victim starts developing an affinity for the abuser as a survival strategy. What was first seen in a hostage-captor situation was also observed in abusive relationships. So it’s alright if Bollywood is exploiting young men and women as long as it can provide a livelihood to compensate for all that abuse.

The part where she said that it’s in the woman’s hand to allow abuse was particularly appalling. If they have “art”, they wouldn’t have to sell themselves. Saroj has conveniently shifted to the victim from the industry which promotes this system of abuse. While it may help if all the victims decide to put their foot down and refuse, the heroism may cost them dearly at the very beginning of their career, especially since the industry has a habit of making an example out of the transgressors.

What would really help is that if veterans like Saroj herself would stand up against the practice instead of blaming the men and women who are victimised by the larger system. Have the courage to call a spade a spade. She is one of the few female professionals whom many in the industry look up to. Hailing from humble backgrounds herself, Saroj has made it big in the industry without the proverbial godfather to back her. She is an inspiration for dancers and choreographers who aspire to catch their first honest break in the industry. Such statement from an industry veteran is bound to dishearten many who still believe in the virtue of hard work.

(The opinions expressed in the above article are of the author and do not reflect the stand or position of LatestLY)

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 24, 2018 07:50 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).