In a candid and explosive revelation, actress Surveen Chawla has spoken out about her harrowing experiences in the film industry, particularly involving casting couch incidents during her time working in the Tamil cinema industry.
Speaking during a recent podcast interview, the actress shared unsettling experiences from her early career, including a particularly troubling encounter with a National Award-winning Tamil film director. She recalled enduring an intense 12-hour-long screen test that left her feeling uncomfortable and exhausted.
She said, “I was handed a monologue in Tamil and had to perform it on camera. There were costume changes, multiple retakes, and look tests. I ended up returning to Mumbai with a high fever.”
A few days later, she received a call from someone associated with the director, who couldn’t speak Hindi or English and relied on a friend for communication. Surveen said she would call him more as a “pimp” than an assistant, hinting at ulterior motives when the director expressed interest in “taking care of her” in Mumbai.
She stated firmly, “It was clear what he was getting at. The person on the call never came to the point. And finally, I asked if sir wants to sleep with me? Literally in these words. I said sorry you are knocking at the wrong door. I am not here bartering myself in exchange for work.”
Chawla also criticized the persistence and arrogance of the filmmaker, who continued trying to involve her in a film project that never materialized. She pointed out how many of the films she turned down — due to such inappropriate advances — either failed to release or flopped badly.
“This hasn’t happened just once or twice — I’ve had this kind of experience around 20 times. And every single time, the project went nowhere,” she revealed.
In addition to discussing the casting couch, Surveen also highlighted the body shaming she faced, particularly in South Indian cinema. She was often told to gain weight to suit the regional aesthetic, and was criticized for her slim figure. “I was asked about my weight and even my chest size. I was told things like ‘nothing will move or bounce.’ There was zero subtlety. I always gave it back to them without hesitation,” she said.
#SurveenChawla, actress from #Rana Naidu, shared her casting couch experience involving a Tamil director who asked for her "commitment."
She revealed that both the director and the actors involved were National Award winners. pic.twitter.com/vQbbD3nfVK
— Movies4u Official (@Movies4u_Officl) May 31, 2025
Surveen’s bold testimony sheds light on the ongoing exploitation and toxic standards many women in the film industry continue to face, sparking renewed conversation on the need for accountability and change in Indian cinema.
(With Inputs From Gulte)
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