'I didn't find work after refusing a casting cough offer'

Bollywood may be the biggest film industry in the world but it's also home to a whole lot of filth that its biggest players are experts at hiding. One of the main issues plaguing the industry is that of the casting couch which, sad as it may be, only a handful of celebrities have spoken against. Actor Aditi Rao Hydari is one of the few.

In a recent interview with The Sunday Guardian, the 'Padmaavat' beauty opened up about casting couch again, although she touched upon the topic five years ago but to no avail.

Aditi revealed, "I have been in the situation but I was able to stand up to it, make my decision and move away. I did lose work and I cried about it. I didn't regret it but I cried because I was upset that this was true and this is how girls are treated."

The starlet further shared that she did not receive any film offers for about eight months after she said no to the casting couch one. "I feel that the decision made me stronger in my intention about the kind of work I wanted to do. The year 2013 was difficult for me as it was also the year I lost my father. But from 2014 onwards, everything kind of fell into place."

The 32-year-old star feels that her decision was an empowered one and one shouldn't judge if someone cannot take the same stand. The 'Bhoomi' actor stated, "No one should be forced to do something they don't want to. Nobody should misuse their power or you."

She added that girls need to empower themselves. "If anyone is unhappy about being misused they have every right to speak out. If they don't, it's because of the fear of losing work. It's about power play in the industry, and you should nip it in the bud."