Anurag Kashyap Walked Out Of Room When An Actress Offered Sexual Favours Says Ex Assistant

Anurag Kashyap’s former assistant Jaydeep Sarkar came out in his support. On Twitter, he recalled an incident when years ago a young actress reportedly tried to suggest sexual favours in exchange for work but the filmmaker turned it down. Kashyap is currently dealing with sexual harassment allegations by Payal Ghosh who openly alleged that he “forced himself" on her during an encounter in 2014.

In a series of tweets on Monday, Sarkar said: "This is the right time to recount this story. I was an assistant with @anuragkashyap72 in 2004. I was looking into secondary casting for ‘Gulaal’ and was meeting many actors. A young actress, who really wanted a part in the film insisted she wanted to meet Anurag."

"She waited a while and then Anurag got done with a narration and agreed to meet her," he continued. Sharing that the young actress tried to get a part in the film and probably assumed that "casting couch" is the "only way to get the role", Sarkar claimed that "she tried suggesting a few ‘favours’ verbally."

She waited a while and then Anurag got done with a narration and agreed to meet her. The young actress probably assumed the only way to get the role was through the ‘casting couch’. She tried suggesting a few ‘favours’ verbally.

— Jaydeep Sarkar (@sarkarjaydeep) September 20, 2020

Further stating “But when Anurag politely ignored it, she gently let her sari pallu drop. A few times. At this point, Anurag got up and requested her to not do this," Sarkar added. "He told her she would get the part if she was the right fit and nothing else would work. Saying this, he walked out of the room, disappointed. I was shocked by what I saw, but I had seen a hero get out of a situation, with respect and empathy for her. Later he told me he was disappointed that so many young women feel this is the only way they can make it,” he said.

Sarkar added, “I don’t blame the woman! Many like her come into the industry, believing this is how you get cast in a movie. And that may even be true, much like in any other field of work. But having worked with Anurag, especially in casting, the one thing I always observed was his absolute respect for women.”

I don’t blame the woman! Many like her come into the industry, believing this is how you get cast in a movie. And that may even be true, much like in any other field of work.

— Jaydeep Sarkar (@sarkarjaydeep) September 20, 2020

The Patel Ki Punjabi Shaadi actress Ghosh accused Anurag of sexual harassment on Saturday. Speaking to ANI, she said, “Five years ago I met Anurag Kashyap regarding work. He called me to his house. When I went there, he took me to a separate room and tried to sexually assault me. He forced himself on me.” Soon, Kashyap responded on Twitter denying the allegations, claiming that they were "baseless". “I neither behave like this nor do I ever tolerate this at any price,” he said.

Many Bollywood celebrities like Taapsee Pannu and ex-wife Kalki Koechlin have come out in defence of the director. On the other hand, Kangana Ranaut has come out in support of Payal Ghosh.

Also Read: Payal Ghosh says Anurag Kashyap ‘forced himself on me’ Smriti Irani makes statement

Read More Stories By Ria Das