Recently, Indian actress Upasana Singh – known for her roles in projects like Judwaa, Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon, and Comedy Nights With Kapil – recalled a troubling experience with the casting couch. Singh shared how a South Indian director, much older than her, asked her to come to a hotel in Juhu (Mumbai) for a meeting. However, the meeting became uncomfortable. Singh also shared that, after the incident, she locked herself in a room for a week. She said that going through that tough time made her a stronger person.
While speaking to Siddharth Kanan, Singh said, “A big South film director had signed me for a film opposite Anil Kapoor. I used to take my mother or sister whenever I visited the director’s office. One day, he asked me why I always bring them with me. He called me at 11:30 at night and asked me to come to a hotel for a ‘sitting.’ I insisted that I will listen to the story the next day since I didn’t have a car to reach there. But then he asked, ‘Nahi, tum sitting ka matlab nahi samjhi?’”
Singh revealed that she couldn’t sleep the whole night. She recalled, “Phir mera sardaarni vala dimaag satka. His office was in Bandra and, the next morning, I went there. He was having a meeting with three to four people. His secretary asked me to wait outside, but I didn’t. I barged in and abused him in front of those people in Punjabi for nearly five minutes continuously. But when I left his office, I remembered that I had informed a lot of people that I had signed the film with Anil. I couldn’t stop crying while walking on the footpath.”
She further revealed, “I didn’t leave my room for seven days. I would cry nonstop, wondering what I would tell people. But those seven days made me stronger. I was like ‘teri aisi ki taisi.’ My mother worked hard to support me. I thought about her and decided I will not leave the film industry.”
Upasana Singh has had a successful career in both film and television. She became known for her role in the popular comedy Judwaa (1997) alongside Salman Khan, and later starred in films like Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon (2003) and Krazzy 4 (2008). On television, she became a household name with her comedic role on Comedy Nights With Kapil, where her lively performance won the hearts of viewers. In addition to her work in Hindi films, Singh also showcased her talent in Punjabi cinema.
See Also: Vinta Nanda Tears Down Imtiaz Ali For Saying Casting Couch Doesn’t Exist; ‘Naturally A Kareena Kapoor Is Safe..’