In a candid revelation that pulls back the curtain on Bollywood's less glamorous side, senior journalist Simi Chandoke has highlighted persistent issues of homophobia and the dreaded casting couch within the Indian film industry. Speaking on the podcast Verinteresting, Chandoke outlined how fear and prejudice continue to shape career decisions for both actors and directors, citing specific instances involving top stars.
The Fear of Coming Out and Audience Perception
Chandoke pointed out a significant barrier for actors regarding their sexuality. She explained that even if there are bisexual or gay actors in Bollywood, the fear of audience rejection often forces them to stay in the closet. The core concern is whether audiences would accept a hero romancing a heroine on screen if he has openly admitted to being attracted to men. This perceived bias, according to the journalist, creates an environment where authenticity is sacrificed for box-office safety.
She further elaborated on the impact on directors. Chandoke mentioned a prominent, unnamed director who has worked with A-listers like Salman Khan, Ranveer Singh, Hrithik Roshan, and Shahid Kapoor. While everyone in the industry knows he is gay, his openness about his sexuality allegedly makes several leading actors hesitant to work with him. The reason, as per Chandoke, is a deep-seated fear of the 'casting couch'—the exploitative practice where sexual favors are demanded in exchange for roles.
Stars Who Faced the Casting Couch
Chandoke emphasized that these fears are not unfounded and are rooted in real experiences shared by actors over the years. She specifically named two major stars who have publicly spoken about facing such propositions during their struggling days.
Ranveer Singh, in an interview with NDTV about a decade ago, recounted a disturbing encounter. He was called to meet a "sleazy gentleman" in Andheri's Northern Suburbs around 8 PM. The man showed no interest in his portfolio. Instead, he advised Singh that being "smart and sexy" was the way to get ahead and made a clear physical advance, saying "Take, touch." When Singh refused, the man tried to negotiate. A shaken Singh later learned from other struggling actors that this was a common tactic used by that individual.
Similarly, Ayushmann Khurrana shared his experience with Pinkvilla. A casting director directly propositioned him, saying he would get the lead role if he showed him "his tool." Khurrana stated he refused politely, clarifying his sexual orientation.
Shah Rukh Khan's Witty 'Try-Sexual' Retort
Chandoke also recalled how megastar Shah Rukh Khan once cleverly deflected rumors about his closeness with filmmaker Karan Johar. When questioned about it, SRK responded with his trademark wit, declaring himself 'try-sexual.' He elaborated in an interview with The Times of India, humorously stating, "I try anything that's sexual," before laughing it off and reaffirming his love for his wife, Gauri Khan. Chandoke noted that this sharp, humorous statement effectively shut down further speculation at the time.
The revelations by Simi Chandoke, made public on January 5, 2026, paint a complex picture of an industry grappling with outdated biases and exploitative practices. They underscore a reality where talent often navigates a minefield of prejudice and inappropriate demands, challenging the glittering facade of Bollywood.
