Surveen Chawla on impact of #MeToo movement on casting couch in the industry: 'It is important to have the fear of...'

Time of India

03-06-2025

Surveen Chawla candidly discussed her past experiences with the casting couch in the entertainment industry, noting a positive shift post-MeToo with the rise of ethical casting practices and stricter laws. She credits casting agencies for prioritizing talent and skills, contributing to a safer, more inclusive environment on sets for everyone, emphasizing the importance of protocols and intimacy coordinators.
In a bold and thoughtful conversation with ETimes,
Surveen Chawla
opened up about navigating the darker corners of the entertainment industry, including her past encounters with the
casting couch
. Reflecting on how the landscape has shifted post the MeToo movement, she shed light on the rise of ethical casting practices, the role of accountability, and the growing importance of safe, inclusive sets.
She has been very candid and honest about facing the casting couch throughout her career. Reflecting on whether this issue still exists today, she admits that she hasn't encountered it recently and isn't sure what newcomers might be experiencing now. Surveen said, "I have always been very candid and honest regarding the casting couch. I don't know if it still exists or not because I haven't had an experience in the recent past.
And I don't know what newcomers are going through at this point in time—but it was tough. It was very difficult. MeToo, I'm sure, has helped the cause because it's important—I think, in all fairness, it's important—to have the fear of casting based on the couch."
Regarding how the industry has evolved, Surveen said'I think it's all been positive. So it seems from the outside; I don't know. I believe people are relying on casting agencies and getting more serious casting agencies in the business today.
You're getting chosen, selected based on your talent, on your skills—no matter where you come from, no matter what your power position is in the industry. If you fit the bill, you fit the role, you get the part.
'
She added, "And I think that process needed to be authentic. And it's looking positive. It's looking positive because, no matter what, there are times when stars or actors are still going for a test because the director wants to really see and decide based on what you're doing in the test—whether you fit the bill or not.
So I think that would be the right way to approach casting. And I would like to credit—I'm not taking names—but I would like to credit casting agencies who've been doing such a phenomenal job at it.
"
Surveen believes these changes have contributed to the decline of the casting couch, though she remains cautious: 'I think somewhere that has played a huge role in casting couch being on the decline, if I may say so. I don't know—I don't think I'd be the right person to say that.'
She also points out that these issues are being rightly addressed today. 'And I'm glad they are being addressed in the way that they are because laws are stricter—whether it's man or woman or whatever gender. And that's how it needs to be. There has to be some kind of protocol that needs to be followed—with the advent of intimacy coordinators as well.'
Reflecting on the past, Surveen added, 'A lot of troubling things happened on sets—not in my experience, but I've heard a lot of times, you know, back then maybe. So I think the protection and the safe environment for people working on set—for women working on set, for men working on set—is of utmost importance today. So I'm glad that it's being acknowledged.'
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