Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai

Mumbai, Dec 18: Actor-filmmaker Malti Chahar, who recently gained widespread attention following her stint on Bigg Boss 19, has once again made headlines after speaking candidly about her experiences with casting couch in the film industry. Malti, who is also the sister of Indian cricketer Deepak Chahar, alleged that a senior filmmaker once tried to forcibly kiss her, leaving her deeply disturbed.

Speaking on a podcast hosted by Siddharth Kannan, Malti recalled an incident from the early days of her career involving a well-known South Indian producer. She clarified that casting directors had never misbehaved with her, but a director had crossed boundaries when she was new to the industry.

Recounting the experience, Malti said that after a narration meeting, the director later asked her to meet the producer in his hotel room, even sharing the room number. “I didn’t go. Later, the director questioned me about it and indirectly tried to explain ‘how things work’ in the industry. I pretended not to understand, and eventually, the matter was dropped,” she said.

Without naming anyone, Malti also narrated another disturbing incident involving a senior and well-known director. She alleged that while bidding goodbye at his office, she offered a side hug, but he attempted to kiss her on the lips. “That was extremely ill-mannered. I stopped him immediately. I felt really bad and shocked. I never met him again,” she said.

Malti revealed that the incident hurt her deeply as she had looked up to the filmmaker as a father figure. “He was very old. I knew his entire family. I couldn’t believe someone of that age would behave like that. That day taught me a big lesson — never put anyone on a pedestal,” she added.

Talking about dealing with uncomfortable situations in the industry, Malti said that while there were a few instances where people tried to cross boundaries, they never went beyond a point because she maintained firm body language and discipline. However, she admitted that standing her ground often resulted in losing work.

“People here are smart. When they realise things won’t go their way, you lose opportunities. Men may try to use their power, but if you are a strong personality, you shouldn’t submit,” she said, adding that her upbringing and family support gave her the strength to stand up for herself.

Malti’s revelations have once again sparked discussions around casting couch practices in the entertainment industry and the importance of strong boundaries and support systems for women navigating such spaces.