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Passion For Acting Saved Me From The Casting Couch: Vidya Balan

Passion For Acting Saved Me From The Casting Couch: Vidya Balan
KOLKATA, INDIA - SEPTEMBER 25: Bollywood actress Vidya Balan durig the inauguration of the PC Jewellers Showroom on September 25, 2014 in Kolkata, India. (Photo by Subhankar Chakraborty/Hindustan Times via Getty Images)
Hindustan Times via Getty Images
KOLKATA, INDIA - SEPTEMBER 25: Bollywood actress Vidya Balan durig the inauguration of the PC Jewellers Showroom on September 25, 2014 in Kolkata, India. (Photo by Subhankar Chakraborty/Hindustan Times via Getty Images)

Vidya Balan says it is thanks to her passion for acting that she didn't fall prey to the casting couch in the Hindi film industry.

"I'm very fortunate that I never came across anything like casting couch or exploitation. This was all because I was very passionate about acting, but not desperate about work," the National Award winning actress revealed here at casting director Mukesh Chhabra's studio.

"In all these years, nobody said any such thing that would hurt me. Most importantly, I didn't let anybody do anything wrong to me," she added.

Advising newcomers to safeguard themselves against casting couch, the 37-year-old said: It depends on you. Even if something like this (casting couch or exploitation) has happened to you, then don't be harsh on yourselves.

"...No role and no film is the end of the world. It could be the beginning, but it is never the end," Vidya said.

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