Mimi Actress Sai Tamhankar opened up about facing the casting couch in the Indian film industry. Reveals that man never called her ever again.
Actress Sai Tamhankar is a well-known name in the Marathi film industry. From films like Pune 52, Balak Palak to Duniyadari, the actress has proved her mettle with every film she has been a part of and has emerged victorious.
From doing a cameo in Aamir Khan’s Ghajini to being a part of Hunterrr, the actress has showcased that her talent isn’t limited to only regional cinema. She recently featured in Kriti Sanon starrer Mimi and received immense love from audience for her stunning performance.
Many prominent personalities have time and again opened up on casting couch existing in the film industry. However, despite the awareness spread across various media platforms, it still exists and continues to traumatize people who are the victims of it. And unfortunately, Sai also faced such incidents where she gave it back to those who saw her down and demand unusual things to give her work.
In an interview, Sai Tamhankar spoke about the horrific incident, and said, “There was a shady phone call once. A random person called and said, “I have a film and all that but there is something. You’ll have to sleep with the director and the producer. Generally, you have to sleep with the hero as well but since it is you, I am saying producer and director,” and I said, “Why don’t you send your mom.” He went silent for 10 seconds. I told him that now you understand that you are not supposed to call me ever again and post that I hung up. That phone call never happened ever again. You should voice out everything you feel that is not right.”
Apart from talking about the moment, Sai also addressed the need for pay parity in the industry. The actress says that while Bollywood is talking about it, it is equally relevant in Regional Marathi cinema.
“I really think that women should be paid equally to the male co-stars. I have always been the person who has said, “Mujhe itna do”, instead of saying, “usko itna mil raha hai toh mujhe itna do!” Things are slowly changing but the hierarchy still remains the same and I am not a big fan of it.”
Recently, The actress opened about if it hurts her emotionally when such people suggest her to go through casting couch to bag a role in Bollywood films, The Mimi actress said, “Well, I really feel that I have better things to do in life. Why on Earth should I feel hurt or upset about what someone else thinks about me. If someone is having dirty thoughts in their mind about me, it is their thing. I just don’t want to give it any importance. I am very self-sufficient that way. I don’t prefer wasting time thinking about people having dirty thoughts about me. It is completely their problem. If anyone says anything which they shouldn’t, I certainly know how to handle it the right way. I am clear about where I want to reach in life and by what means so these things don’t distract or bother me.”
On the work front, Sai Tamhankar will be next seen in Madhur Bhandarkar’s film, India Lockdown. In the past, she has predominately worked in the Marathi film industry and done movies like Classmates, Guru Purnima, Vazandar, Girlfriend, Time Please, Duniyadari, Balak Palak, Wake Up India, and more films.
