In the glitzy and glamorous world of Bollywood behind the carpets lights and stardom a lot happens that meets the eye. As the curtain falls we realise that many horrific stories are buried beneath the surface. One such harsh truth is the existence of the casting couch. For decades such exploitations have prevailed in the Indian cinema and have haunted many for years. While most victims find themselves fabricating a picture-perfect look on the outside the truth is far from reality. Some choose to whisper and confine in close doors others choose to open up and reveal this reality boldly. Amidst the many falling prey to this unfortunate reality one voice was courageous enough to break her silence and shed light on this hidden exploitation in the promise of fame. This tale is of an actor Saiyami Kher. The Hindi and Telugu film actress revealed in an interview that she was only 19 or 20 when she faced such an incident. But whats even more shocking is that this preposition came from a woman not a man. Sharing her story Saiyami has revealed that its been only once in her overall experience in the industry that she has encountered such an incident and while she is grateful for all the offers such a reality does exist in the film industry.  Saiyami Kher said “I have been very fortunate with regards to all the offers that I have received. In the film industry there was this one agent who had called me for a Telugu film when I was 19 or 20 years old. She said ‘You know you will have to make compromises.’ I was trying to test her because it was a woman saying it to another woman. I felt that deeply.” Instead of reacting directly Saiyami chose to handle the situation tactfully. She pretended not to understand the agent testing how far the conversation would go.  “So I said ‘Ma’am I’m not understanding what you are saying.’ I kept repeating that. And then finally the agent said  ‘See you have to understand’ to which Saiyami replied firmly making her boundaries clear I’m sorry that you feel that I’m someone who needs to go down this route. There are certain limits that I have never crossed in my life. Besides Saiyami many other actors have confessed to facing a similar situation. Another actress Fatima Sana Shaikh popularly known for her role in Dangal had previously shared her story. She revealed that while she was working in a south film somebody asked her if she was ready to do everything; however she played dumb to check how low the person could stoop before she bailed out of the situation. Such a revelation from actresses is a reminder that behind this glamorous mask of Bollywood a truth prevails thats far darker than whats been shown but finally with courageous voices like these such exploitations are beginning to be exposed and held accountable.