Barkha Singh revealed that while she has never faced the casting couch directly, she once received a shocking e-mail demanding ‘compromise’ for a role in a South film.
Actress Barkha Singh, who was recently seen in the series ‘Criminal Justice 4’, shared an unsettling experience of receiving an e-mail offering a role in a South film, but with a demand for ‘compromise.’ Barkha stated she has never encountered the casting couch directly on face, but has proof that it happened via e-mail.
In a conversation with Hauterrfly, Barkha recalled receiving the shocking e-mail, which didn’t specify the sender’s name. The mail outlined the number of shoot days required and mentioned ‘compromise’ is required. Barkha expressed her shock that such demands were put in writing, indicating the sender’s comfort with the proposal. “Someone put it on my e-mail. I think it was something for the South, and I have a proof where this person was like, ‘These many shoot days required, and the vitals should be at least 36; compromise is required’. You are giving it in writing means you are so okay with it,” she said.
This incident occurred ‘within this decade,’ according to Barkha. She said she is very cautious to avoid situations where such situations could arise. “No one has said it in the face. But I think I also — because I know this exists — and I’m very wary of it. So, like, I try very hard to not get only in those situations,” she said.
On the professional front, Barkha portrayed assistant lawyer Shivani Mathur in Criminal Justice season 4, alongside Pankaj Tripathi, Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub, Surveen Chawla, and Asha Negi, streaming on Jio Hotstar. She began her career as a child artist in films such as Mujhse Dosti Karoge!, Samay: When Time Strikes. Barkha has also appeared in shows like Engineering Girls and Please Find Attached, and played a significant role in Madhuri Dixit’s film, Maja Ma, with Gajraj Rao, Ritwik Bhowmick, and Srishti Shrivastava. Barkha was also a part of Vikrant Massey starrer The Sabarmati Report.