Jamie Lever opens up about chilling close call with casting couch: ‘I thought I was safe being Johny Lever's daughter'
Bollywood
continues to inspire millions, the film industry's long-standing problem with the casting couch is far from a secret. But what happens when even a star kid becomes a target?
Actor-comedian Jamie Lever, daughter of veteran comic Johny Lever, recently shared a harrowing account of how she narrowly escaped being exploited by a con posing as an international film director. Her chilling experience sheds light on how even those with industry connections aren't always immune to the darker forces at play.
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A 'Golden Surname' Isn't Always a Shield
Speaking to Zoom, Jamie recalled how, early in her career, she believed her father's legacy would serve as a protective buffer. 'I had heard about casting couch incidents but thought I was safe, being Johny Lever's daughter. I considered it a blessing,' she admitted.
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But before she had a manager, Jamie used to approach casting agents independently, often circulating her contact details for work opportunities. That's how she received a call from someone claiming to be an international director, looking to audition her for a role in a foreign film.
The audition, conducted over a video call, turned into something disturbing. The man informed Jamie he was travelling and couldn't turn on his camera. He said there was no script, but that she'd be auditioning for a bold role. Then came the alarming request—he asked her to improvise a scene seducing a 50-year-old man, and strip during the performance.
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A Refusal That Could Have Saved Her
Uncomfortable and suspicious, Jamie refused to comply. 'I said I'm not very comfortable with this. When there is a script, I will follow that,' she recounted.
After ending the call, the reality hit her. Had she followed instructions, she could have been recorded and later blackmailed. 'That's when I realised how big a scam this could have been. They could have made a video and harassed me,' Jamie said.
Her story isn't just a one-off incident. It's a cautionary tale of how even those born into Bollywood can fall prey to manipulative schemes, especially when trying to establish themselves independently.
'It Was Almost Like the Casting Couch Was Trending'
Jamie's account is disturbingly echoed by actress Surveen Chawla, who opened up in a recent interview with Sidharth Kannan. Surveen revealed that there was a time when the casting couch was so pervasive, it felt 'trending.'
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'I felt like I had hit the end of the road,' she admitted, reflecting on the emotional toll of repeatedly being propositioned and punished for saying 'no'. 'There was rejection every time I had the audacity to say no. It was just filthy,' she confessed.
Surveen, now known for acclaimed roles across films and streaming platforms, almost left the industry altogether. Yet, she chose to stay and forge her path on her terms.
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