‘Stipend Dunga’: Renuka Shahane Recalls Casting Couch Experience With A Married Producer

Renuka Shahane, well-known for her roles in films like Hum Aapke Hain Kaun and television shows like Cirkus, has spoken out against being harassed in the profession. The performer described how a married producer offered living together in exchange for a campaign in front of her mother, and she also discussed the consequences of similar events in the profession. Renuka Shahane explains why it is tough for women in the film industry to deny powerful people who try to make life difficult for those who dare to oppose them.

Renuka Shahane  declined the offer, so the film producer moved on to someone else. Renuka stated that opposing such behavior came with a cost. Renuka discussed the nature of the industry, recalling how powerful people threatened those who opposed their misdeeds.

Renuka Shahane told Zoom, "A producer came to my home and made a proposition. He told me that he is married, but he asked me to become the brand ambassador of a saree company and told me that he will give me a stipend every month for living together with him. My mom and I were aghast."

 

 

 

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Renuka Shahane, 59, also alleged that if a victim complains about harassment, they are generally subjected to reprisal in some form or another.  They could be removed from the project they are working on, or they could be harassed further, resulting in unpaid work.  According to her, the film business is a club that works together to further victimize the victim.

"Sometimes, when you refuse advances of someone, they come to take revenge and ask others not to take you. That is the danger. It hasn't happened to me, but it can happen," Renuka explained.

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Renuka Shahane claimed that actors like Raveena Tandon took efforts to avoid unwelcome advances from others in the industry. "Raveena was a big heroine and she came from the industry, but she had told me that during outdoor shoots, we would change rooms every day so that nobody should know which room we are staying. So they don’t come and create a problem."

Renuka Shahane's ability to speak up for herself and other actors in the film industry has garnered her a lot of admiration from fans. Furthermore, this current disclosure will give women who have endured similar harassment, whether in the job or in their daily lives, the courage to speak up and expose the guys who have oppressed them.