I am 30 year old man.I shifted to Mumbai from Kolkata almost nine years ago.. to pursue a career in films.
Beginnings
(The film industry is the best place to be in. I want to be a part of it all my life,) is what most budding say at every awards function.
This holds true only for star aspirants from well-to-do families. But what about those who leave their homes in search of stardom?
Industry men are said to openly exploit women for roles. But not much has been written about the couch on which men have to sleep for work.
When my father’s friend heard that I wanted to become an actor, he cast me in a small role in his film. I shifted to Mumbai. But I was devastated when he died even before the film started. Luckily, I had made a couple of contracts in Bollywood. I bagged cameo roles in two big films.
Embarassing..shocking
I thought my journey in Bollywood would be easy now. Soon, I got a call from a man who claimed to be the casting director for a medium sized banner’s film. But his office was a congested cubbyhole with a dozen guys waiting in queue. When my turn came, I went into the cabin to find a skinny guy.
He asked me to undress and parade in my undergarments. I grew terribly suspicious. I asked around about these shady people and was shocked to hear that the casting for the film had been completed a week ago. I wasn’t surprised to see the office locked, the next day.
A month later, I came across an ad that invited wannabe models and actors to drop in their pictures. A big break was promised to the right guy.
A couple of days later, I received a call from a man informing me that I was the chosen one. I met him the next day and he made me feel like a star. He said he liked the innocence in my eyes.
I was so gullible that I actually started believing I was a born star. He said I needed little grooming. He said he would help me network. I couldn’t believe my luck.
Shifting focus
One say he invited me to work out at the health club with him. I was in the middle of my work-out when he suddenly called me to the Jacuzzi room.
I was shocked to see him sitting nude with his arm around another nude man. They invited me to join them. This was a culture shock to me.
I was embarrassed and ran away saying I wanted to work out. A couple of similar incidents followed including attempts to get physical with me. I was convinced he was gay. I stopped interacting with him.
But I kept meeting similar sorts in my attempts to meet filmmakers. One of them even claimed to be a star secretary.
My experiences convinced me that those in commanding in the industry want your body, not talent. No one does anyone a favour here.
Beginnings
(The film industry is the best place to be in. I want to be a part of it all my life,) is what most budding say at every awards function.
This holds true only for star aspirants from well-to-do families. But what about those who leave their homes in search of stardom?
Industry men are said to openly exploit women for roles. But not much has been written about the couch on which men have to sleep for work.
When my father’s friend heard that I wanted to become an actor, he cast me in a small role in his film. I shifted to Mumbai. But I was devastated when he died even before the film started. Luckily, I had made a couple of contracts in Bollywood. I bagged cameo roles in two big films.
Embarassing..shocking
I thought my journey in Bollywood would be easy now. Soon, I got a call from a man who claimed to be the casting director for a medium sized banner’s film. But his office was a congested cubbyhole with a dozen guys waiting in queue. When my turn came, I went into the cabin to find a skinny guy.
He asked me to undress and parade in my undergarments. I grew terribly suspicious. I asked around about these shady people and was shocked to hear that the casting for the film had been completed a week ago. I wasn’t surprised to see the office locked, the next day.
A month later, I came across an ad that invited wannabe models and actors to drop in their pictures. A big break was promised to the right guy.
A couple of days later, I received a call from a man informing me that I was the chosen one. I met him the next day and he made me feel like a star. He said he liked the innocence in my eyes.
I was so gullible that I actually started believing I was a born star. He said I needed little grooming. He said he would help me network. I couldn’t believe my luck.
Shifting focus
One say he invited me to work out at the health club with him. I was in the middle of my work-out when he suddenly called me to the Jacuzzi room.
I was shocked to see him sitting nude with his arm around another nude man. They invited me to join them. This was a culture shock to me.
I was embarrassed and ran away saying I wanted to work out. A couple of similar incidents followed including attempts to get physical with me. I was convinced he was gay. I stopped interacting with him.
But I kept meeting similar sorts in my attempts to meet filmmakers. One of them even claimed to be a star secretary.
My experiences convinced me that those in commanding in the industry want your body, not talent. No one does anyone a favour here.
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