Transgender actress Shubhi Sharma reveals shocking casting couch experience: ‘He told me to take off my…'
In the glamorous world of Bollywood, behind the glitz, there is a lot more that meets the eye. Often masked behind the flamboyance are silent voices, uneven opportunities, and even identity that may become a struggle to celebrate. Even though the entertainment industry seems progressive and future-forward, the truth remains far from reality. Despite the industry celebrating diversity and inclusivity, the real struggles of transgenders remains buried.
One such actress, Shubhi Sharma, who stands both as a survivor and a trailblazer, reveals the reality of transgender individuals in the entertainment industry. Featured in hit television serials like Saath Nibhaana Saathiya, Dhruv Tara, and Chaand Jalne Laga, Shubhi's journey wasn't about success, but it was more about paving with prejudice, exploitation, and emotional endurance.
In a candid interview, Shubhi revealed how deeply rooted stigma affects not just work opportunities but every aspect of her life. 'Who really supports transgender people?' she asked. 'In our society, families often disown people like us. We don't get life partners. Our lives are filled with pain.' Her words pierce through the superficial celebration of inclusivity, bringing focus to a harsh and often hidden truth.
Talking about an incident, Shubhi shares that despite her strong industry connection, she was dropped out of the show and it went to male actors. 'I didn't know how to react. I had been told I was perfect for the part, but then it all vanished,' she said.
However, one event that took her by shock was when she faced casting couch, which showcased the cruel objectification transgender actors face. An influential figure suggested she would need to 'remove her clothes' for a chance. 'I told him, I'm a transgender woman, not a girl you can exploit,' Shubhi recalled. He coldly responded, 'People like you are in demand these days.'
In another incident, a filmmaker offered to help her remain 'relevant' in the competitive world, but again, the help came with inappropriate expectations. The common thread? Her identity was used against her—exoticised when convenient, erased when uncomfortable.
Despite these repeated setbacks, Shubhi hasn't given up. 'I'm still struggling for good roles. When we don't have work, we depend on charity. We live on whatever comes our way,' she shared. Her truth echoes the silent pain of many transgender individuals trying to thrive in a world not yet ready to embrace them fully.
Shubhi's journey is not just about her—it's about a broken system, and the strength it takes to rise above it. She continues to fight not just for roles, but for respect, space, and dignity.
In a world of scripted fiction, her story is painfully real—and that's what makes it so important.
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