Actress Kalki Koechlin recently shared her experiences with stereotypes and casting couch in the film industry. Speaking on Siddhaarth Aalambayan’s show, The Male Feminist, she candidly revealed instances where she faced prejudices due to her ethnicity and had uncomfortable encounters during auditions.
Recalling incidents related to racial stereotyping, Kalki said, “I saw it (patriarchy) very young because I was asked for drugs. Because I was the only white girl in my group, it was about loose morals, the ‘white girls’ phenomenon. They watch Baywatch and think everyone is like that. The minute I would answer back in Tamil, they would be like Akka, sister. Suddenly their perspective of you changes just because you speak in their language.”
She further opened up about her casting couch experience, recounting an audition for a film she liked. “They called me back and said that I just need to meet the producer. So, I met the producer in his office with the blinds down, and he said, ‘So, you know this is going to be your big opportunity. You are going to make it with this, and I would really like to know you better. Can we go for dinner?’ I got the drift of it and said, ‘Listen, it’s not for me. I am not into that,'” Kalki revealed.
Kalki also shed light on body shaming and harsh comments she faced. “You get comments like, ‘Don’t smile too much, your teeth are too big.’ You get comments on your body, and you get stuff like that said to you, and so you become ultra-conscious,” she shared. “I remember this makeup artist; I was 24 at that time, and he said, ‘I can’t do the eyeliner on your eyes because there are too many wrinkles,'” Kalki added.
Despite facing these challenges, Kalki has been a prominent figure in Bollywood, delivering exceptional performances in movies like “Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani,” “Margarita with a Straw,” “Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara,” and “Dev D.” Her next project includes the second season of “Made in Heaven.”
Kalki’s candid revelations shed light on the issues that persist in the entertainment industry, and her determination continues to inspire many.
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