Casting Couch For Career Growth: Asha Negi Recalls Being 'Brainwashed' During Early Acting Days

Asha Negi, who is a popular television actress, recently opened up about her casting couch experience in the industry. The actress recalled how at the beginning of her career a coordinator attempted to caution her of the practices. She shared that he tried to ‘brainwash’ her into believing that all actors have to go through the process for their career growth.

Asha Negi recalls casting couch experience 

In an interview with Hauterfly, Asha Negi, best known for her role in Pavitra Rishta, shared that she was all of 20 when a coordinator tried to convince her that the casting couch is a norm in the industry. She recalled he was adamant that it is essential for career growth. The actress shared that she decided to never give in to the practice.

She shared, “Back then, there were coordinators. This was some coordinator during that time, some random guy I ended up meeting. I'm glad that we met and he started talking about television, and I was in my early 20s. He was almost trying to brainwash me that this is what happens and this is how you will grow. He told me, jitne bhi bade TV actors hai, all have done it (all the big actors have done it)." Asha added, “I told him, ‘If this happens, then I’m not interested." The actress also recalled telling her friend about it, who was not shocked and told her it was normal.

Asha Negi opens up about the breakup with Rithvik Dhanjani 

Asha Negi and Rithvik Dhanjani were one of the most talked about couples in the industry. Consequently, their breakup came as a shock to most fans. In the same conversation, the actress shared how she coped with the reactions to their split.

Taling about ending the long-term relationship Asha shared, “There is a lot of grief, of course, and then, you have to handle everything because families are involved, and if you are an actor, then there are so many people, fan clubs... I still get so many gaalis (abuses), and so does he.” She added, “People are loving your chemistry, so it just happens. That’s why, I think, in television, people get coupled up pretty fast."