Alia Bhatt has this advice for those who are faced with the casting couch

The casting couch has become a raging debate in film industries across the world, with the horrifying allegations of sexual offences levelled against Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein and movements like #MeToo and #TimesUp.

Bollywood is divided on the issue, with some like Saroj Khan and Shatrughan Sinha whitewashing the casting couch as a provider of livelihood and an "old and time-tested way of getting ahead in life", some like Radhika Apte acknowledging that it is a serious issue and some like Ranbir Kapoor claiming to be ignorant about its existence.

When Alia Bhatt was asked her two cents on the casting couch, she told Deccan Chronicle, "All of a sudden the casting couch discussion has become a burning topic. However, I am of the opinion whenever such topics are discussed, the environment turns very negative. People start believing that the industry is bad."

Though she has not faced it herself, the Raazi actress acknowledged the existence of the casting couch and said, "I know and do understand that at times, many boys and girls have to go through bad situations in order to be able to fetch some work. Everyone has to face their own battle of struggle in order to be able to get work in this industry. And during their struggle some people could use the strugglers for their benefit."

Alia went on to add that the casting couch is a universal problem. She has one piece of advice for aspiring actors and actresses who might face it. "They should always believe in themselves. However, if at all they are confronted with this bad moment (casting couch) they need to immediately inform their parents. And thereafter go to the police," she said.

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