Sruthi Hariharan, a prominent actress in Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam cinema, has recently opened up about a traumatic experience involving casting couch demands from Tamil producers. The actress, who debuted in 2012 with the Malayalam film Cinema Company, gained recognition through her performances in Kannada films like Lucia, Dyaavre, and Savaari 2. In Tamil, she appeared in films such as Nerungi Vaa Muthamidathe, Nila, Nibunan, and Solo.
Sruthi was previously in the spotlight in 2018 when she accused actor Arjun Sarja of inappropriate behavior during a film shoot. According to her allegations, Sarja had hugged her without consent. Although she filed a police complaint, the case was later dismissed due to insufficient evidence after Sarja challenged the claims in court.
At the India Today Conclave in Hyderabad, Sruthi spoke candidly about another shocking incident. She revealed that during negotiations for a Tamil film, a producer had asked her for a sexual commitment in exchange for a role. The actress further stated that she was asked to extend the same “commitment” to five different producers involved in the project.
Recalling an earlier experience, Sruthi described her first encounter with the casting couch during a meeting for a Kannada film when she was just 18 years old. “It scared me. I cried a lot after the casting couch shock,” she said. Sruthi confided in her dance instructor at the time, who attempted to reassure her, saying, “If you don’t know how to handle it, don’t worry.”
Years later, a well-known Tamil producer acquired the rights to remake one of her Kannada films. When he asked for a similar sexual favor, Sruthi refused. “I replied that I have slippers in my hand,” she said, indicating her unwillingness to comply. Following this incident, she struggled to secure roles in Tamil cinema.
Her revelations have resurfaced following the Justice Hema Committee report, which highlighted the exploitation of women in the film industry. Sruthi’s testimony has once again sparked discussions on the prevalence of the casting couch and the need for systemic change in the industry.
