ABMCM initiates crackdown on casting couch

Following protests against casting couch in the South film industry,and after actresses like Radhika Apte speaking against it, the Akhil Bhartiya Marathi Chitrapat Mahamandal (ABMCM) has finally acknowledged the presence of this malpractice and taken necessary steps to prevent it.
In a first, the apex body of the Marathi industry has implemented a rule that disallows auditions for Marathi movies and television shows without its permission.Shedding light on the development, Vishal Pawar, the Mumbai branch manager of ABMCM, says, “Last year we received around 8-10 complaints against producers and directors exploiting actors under the garb of auditions. With the new rule in place, we have observed a drop in such incidents.”
According to the rule, persons wanting to conduct auditions need to write to ABMCM seeking permission. The governing body will revert with a set of conditions that need to be followed by the concerned people.
Additionally, after the auditions are done, a report needs to be submitted about the same to ABMCM. Reportedly, the Mahamandal has received around 80 applications seeking permission so far.
“The permission is granted only after a background check ensuring that the producers and the directors are genuinely making a movie, or a TV show and the script is registered,” informs Meghraj Rajebhosale, president of ABMCM. He shares that after the success of Sairat, which had first timers, there has been a rise in the number of youngsters wanting to pursue a career in the film industry. However, this also caused a spurt in people posing as filmmakers and exploiting the vulnerable youngsters by demanding money or sexual favours.
In fact, the governing body had even issued an advisory last year cautioning against such auditions. This rule is a step ahead to ensure such incidents don’t happen. The ABMCM also has patrol teams across the state cracking down on unauthorised auditions. Depending on the gravity of the offence, they either issue a warning or file a police complaint against the erring filmmakers.

Producers have hailed this move stating that it would protect young artistes looking to make it big in the industry. “Being an actor, I know the struggle one faces in the industry. Having to face exploitation only dampens your spirit. But with such rules in place, it would be easier for the actors to know which auditions are authentic and which aren’t,” says Arun Gade, producer of Mi Prem Veda Tuza, who recently sought permission to hold auditions at Buldhana and Parbhani.
Another producer and director, Ashok Kumar Davane, who is making a movie called Babasahebanchi Aai, feels this rule will help increase the level of trust among artistes and filmmakers too. “The permission letter gives a seal of credibility and this helps us get the best of talent,” says Ashok.

All said and done, would this rule guarantee putting an end to casting couch? Newbies in the industry feel that despite these safeguards, one should always exercise caution. “Generally, most of us confirm the authenticity of the production house as well as the directors, before going for the auditions. It is always good to confirm some things beforehand. But for those unaware of how the industry functions, this is a great move,” says Sonia Patwardhan, who recently featured in the Marathi film Hostel Days.
Manasi Bhawalkar, an aspiring Marathi actress too has similar views to share. She has had her share of shady incidents. “I haven’t experienced casting couch, but I was offered an artist card (an identity card and a requisite for some films) at a discounted rate by some for a compensation,” she says. Recounting another incident, Manasi says that she was called by a producer for auditions once. “But when I went there, he just took a cursory glance at me and without the audition, rejected me. This move by ABMCM will prevent actors from such power games,” she shares.
Malpractices in any field can end up jeopardising one’s career and many people from the industry are standing by this new rule to help avoid such things. Recalling an incident that one of his friends went through, Tejas Barve, a young actor, says, “A couple of years ago, one of my friends had landed a role and the contract was almost in the final stages. But when he met the producer, he was asked for a sexual favour to get the role. Traumatised by the incident, he quit the field.”