Latest news with #Surveen
Time of India
40 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Surveen Chawla reflects on dark phase in film industry while facing casting couch: 'It was just filthy, dirty to even step out...'
Surveen Chawla revealed the emotional challenges she faced due to the prevalent casting couch culture in the film industry. She recounted losing roles for refusing to compromise her values, leading to a period of disillusionment and self-doubt. The actress even contemplated leaving the industry altogether, feeling defeated by the constant pressure and rejections. Surveen Chawla has opened up about a troubling chapter in her career, shedding light on the emotional toll of navigating the casting couch culture in the film industry. In a heartfelt revelation, she spoke about the cost of standing her ground, the rejections that followed, and the inner turmoil that nearly made her walk away from it all. Toxic Culture and Doubts About Continuing In her conversation with Sidharth Kanan, the actress revealed that there was a point in her career when the casting couch culture was so rampant and unsettling that it made her question whether she wanted to continue in the industry at all. She described that phase as deeply disillusioning and emotionally exhausting. Losing Roles for Saying No The 40-year-old actor described that period as deeply demoralising, particularly because she began losing roles simply for refusing to compromise. Surveen shared that the casting couch culture seemed almost 'trendy' at the time, and each time she stood her ground, it cost her professional opportunities. She even admitted that the constant rejections and pressure eventually pushed her to an emotional breaking point. Feeling defeated, she began to question her place in the industry and contemplated stepping away altogether, believing it was better to lie low than continue in an environment that didn't align with her values. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The Surprising Habit Tied to Dementia—Millions Do It Without Realizing Memory Health Click Here Undo Journey in showbiz Surveen began her acting journey on Indian television with popular shows like Kahiin To Hoga and Kasautii Zindagii Kay, quickly making a mark as a promising talent. She later transitioned to films through regional cinema, starring in Punjabi hits like Dharti and Taur Mittran Di. Her bold performance in Hate Story 2 (2014) brought her wider recognition, followed by critically acclaimed roles in films such as Parched.
News18
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Surveen Chawla Reveals She Nearly Quit Bollywood Due To Casting Couch: 'It Felt Dirty…'
Last Updated: Surveen Chawla almost quit after facing rampant casting couch demands, shares experiences of harassment in the industry. Surveen Chawla is set to return on screen with Netflix's Mandala Murders, but behind the scenes she once reached a breaking point—nearly walking away from the industry entirely. Speaking with Siddharth Kannan, Surveen recalled a period when harassment was so rampant she felt the business had lost its integrity. 'There was a time when it was all about casting couch. It just felt dirty to even step out and I was like, 'I don't want to do this'. There was that phase. It was almost like it was trending," she said, stressing she wasn't referring to social media but the sheer frequency with which such compromises were expected. She admitted that standing her ground came at a cost. 'Everytime I would lose a part because I had the audacity to say no, or the audacity to just keep my ground in some way shape or form. But it was crazy. I felt like I have hit the end of the road. So that phase was like really tough. And I had to lay low and laze around and be like 'I can't do this, this is not what I was here for' sort of a thing." Surveen also reopened a disturbing chapter from her past during a conversation with Hauterrfly. Sharing a surreal moment from Mumbai's Veera Desai Road, she recounted an encounter with a director she had just met. 'We had just spoken about my marriage inside his cabin — he even asked how my husband was doing… So, when I came to the door to say bye, he leaned towards me trying to kiss, and I had to push him back. I was startled and asked him what he was doing, and I just walked off." That moment left a lasting impact. 'I had to push him back. I was startled… and I just walked off." These candid revelations show that even in a post-#MeToo era, ethical lines are still being crossed. Surveen's decision to speak out again feels like a wake-up call to the industry—and a reminder that personal boundaries can't be ignored. First Published: July 23, 2025, 19:19 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hindustan Times
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Surveen Chawla opens up about hitting her lowest while facing casting couch: 'It was dirty to even step out'
Actor Surveen Chawla has opened up about one of the darkest phases of her career, revealing the emotional toll the casting couch culture once took on her. In a candid reflection, Surveen recalled how toxic and disheartening the film industry felt at one point, especially when she chose to stand her ground and say "no" to inappropriate advances. Surveen Chawla talks about how refusing inappropriate advances led to losing projects and feelings of defeat. Surveen Chawla on hitting her lowest In an interview with Sidharth Kanan, Surveen said, 'There was a time when it was all about the casting couch. It was just filthy, dirty to even step out. I was like, you know what, I don't want to do this anymore." The 40-year-old star described that phase as deeply demoralising, especially as she began losing projects for refusing to compromise. 'It was almost like the casting couch was trending. Every time I would lose a part because I had the audacity to say no, to keep my ground in some way, shape or form. It was crazy.' Surveen admitted that repeated rejections and pressure pushed her to a breaking point, leaving her feeling defeated and questioning her place in the industry. She mentioned how she felt she had hit the end of the road and would prefer to lie low and give up because that wasn't her thing. Surveen Chawla's career Surveen Chawla began her acting journey in Indian television with shows like Kahiin To Hoga and Kasautii Zindagii Kay, quickly establishing herself as a promising talent. She transitioned into films with regional cinema, starring in Punjabi hits like Dharti and Taur Mittran Di. Surveen gained wider recognition with her bold performance in Hate Story 2 (2014), followed by critically acclaimed roles in films like Parched. She further showcased her versatility in digital series such as Sacred Games and Decoupled, earning praise for her nuanced portrayals. Surveen's latest Surveen Chawla appears in the web series Criminal Justice: A Family Matter and Rana Naidu, both released in 2025. She also stars in the upcoming crime thriller Mandala Murders alongside Vaani Kapoor, which premieres on Netflix on 25 July.
Indian Express
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
‘Casting couch was trending in Bollywood': Surveen Chawla says she considered quitting the industry, lost out on work for saying no
Surveen Chawla, who will next be seen in Netflix's upcoming series Mandala Murders, recently opened up about the time when she contemplated quitting the entertainment industry because it was 'all about casting couch.' In the past, many actors have opened up about their unsavoury experiences where they were asked to provide sexual favours in exchange for a role in a film or a show and while the #MeToo movement in India did bring that discussion to the forefront, it did not put an end to the menace. In her interview, Surveen shared that she wanted to quit the business as casting couch was 'trending.' She shared with Siddharth Kannan on his YouTube channel, 'There was a time when it was all about casting couch. It just felt dirty to even step out and I was like, 'I don't want to do this'. There was that phase. It was almost like it was trending.' She explained what she meant by trending and said, 'Trending, of course, I am not talking about social media. Metaphorically. Symbolically. It was almost like it was trending.' Surveen said that she lost many roles because she put her foot down and refused to engage in such compromises. 'Everytime I would lose a part because I had the audacity to say no, or the audacity to just keep my ground in some way shape or form. But it was crazy. I felt like I have hit the end of the road. So that phase was like really tough. And I had to lay low and laze around and be like 'I can't do this, this is not what I was here for' sort of a thing,' she shared. ALSO READ | Saiyaara worldwide box office collection day 5: Ahaan Panday-Aneet Padda's film earns Rs 132 cr; beats Salman Khan's Sikandar, eyes Akshay Kumar and Aamir Khan's record In an earlier chat with Hauterrfly, Surveen opened up about her horrific experience with casting couch and shared, 'I will tell you a tale about Mumbai's Veera Desai Road only. After the meeting at his office cabin, he came to see me off at the gate, and this was after I got married. And the strange thing was that we talked about this in the meeting also, he asked me how it was going and what my husband did, and it was just us speaking inside his cabin because he had a big office.' She added, 'So, when I came to the door to say bye, he leaned towards me trying to kiss, and I had to push him back. I was startled and asked him what he was doing, and I just walked off.'
News18
a day ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Surveen Chawla Channels Graceful Nostalgia In Anavila Linen Sari At Mandala Murders Trailer Launch
Last Updated: Surveen Chawla brought vintage charm and contemporary grace to the Mandala Murders trailer launch in a handwoven Anavila linen sari. At the trailer launch of Mandala Murders, Surveen Chawla made a case for mindful fashion and old-world charm, draped in a handwoven linen sari by Anavila. Titled the Oyster Printed Sari and retailing at ₹32,000, the ensemble was a portrait of muted elegance—blending delicate detailing with a whisper of festive sheen. Sharing the images on social media, Surveen penned, 'I wore your favourite saree and waited like I always do, between blooms and longing." The caption read like a line from a forgotten love letter, subtly amplifying the emotional resonance of her look. Rendered in a soft oyster hue, the sari featured scattered floral motifs that called to mind pressed flowers in a forgotten diary. Accentuated with subtle gota kinari borders, it carried the kind of effortless romance that doesn't need embellishment to shine. The breathable linen, woven by skilled artisans, gave the look a timeless texture and fluidity—hallmarks of Anavila's restrained yet evocative aesthetic. Surveen paired it with a sleeveless blouse featuring dainty tie-up accents at the back, bridging the gap between nostalgic silhouettes and modern tailoring. Styling the Sentiment Celebrity stylist Tanya Ghavri curated the ensemble with a thoughtful, less-is-more approach. The accessories were purposefully sparse—antique-inspired earrings and sculptural rings—ensuring the sari's craftsmanship remained the focal point. Oversized sunglasses offered a touch of playful contrast, nodding to vintage cinema glamour with a present-day twist. Beauty in the Details Hairstylist Ratanti Pramanik crafted a soft, floral-adorned updo, echoing the sari's botanical narrative. Makeup artist Harry Rajput opted for a soft-focus beauty look: luminous skin, lightly blushed cheeks, and gently defined eyes. The visual mood was ethereal, poetic, and purposefully understated. A Setting Steeped in Storytelling Photographer Tejas Nerurkar captured Surveen in a setting that felt more like a frame from a wistful arthouse film than a red-carpet event. Seated beside a Yamaha piano, surrounded by soft blooms and warm light, the frame underscored the vintage-inspired mood of the ensemble. Once again, Surveen proved that style doesn't always need volume or sparkle. Sometimes, all it takes is a whisper-soft sari and a touch of emotion to say everything. view comments First Published: July 22, 2025, 09:37 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
