#MeToo: Sacred Games actress Elnaaz Nourozi on the time she faced casting couch
Having worked in various ads with Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan, Elnaaz Nourani became a popular face now by bagging a substantial role in Sacred Games 2.
In the recent light of #MeToo events, Nourozi had told Mid-Day that she was abused at the hands of Namaste England director Vipul Shah. In an exclusive interview with Deccan Chronicle, the actress made some more revelations about casting couch, sexism etc. Here are the excerpts:
People who come from another country, they usually become a target of casting couch. Has it happened to you as well?
Yes, but I always gave it back. Some of those people weren’t even relevant. I would just stop contact and stop meeting them. I was told that I’ll get a film only when I’m dating someone really big, like a director. I want to be the girl who even when I refuse such a thing, the director should say he still wants me in the film because I’m good.
People usually called you good-looking rather than an actor. Do you agree that sexism exists in Bollywood?
To be honest, since the past few years, it had been that you have a woman (an actress) just to look good. But now things have changed and there are stories where a woman has a part to play. When I came first, I was told that I just need to look good and work on my body but now people ask me if I can act! So I’m really happy that women have proper roles now-a-days where they need to even act! There are very few roles now where a woman is just a damsel in distress. But it has gotten harder, especially for me, since I’m not from the industry. I learnt a whole new language and dancing.
If talking about item songs, is there a fear that you might be typecast if you do an item song before a full-fledged role in a movie?
After seeing it and being in this industry, I also understand that it is right that you do get typecasted. So having songs along with a substantial role is a great mix.
What were you like a child?
I was ugly. The media was called, and I was bullied!
