NEW DELHI – Never one to shy away from calling a spade a shovel, RakhiSawant now has a rather startling opinion on the ongoing debate about thecasting couch.

“When I was a struggler, yes I did face the casting couch. But it wasn’t asif every producer or director I approached was guilty. As in every walk oflife, there is sexual corruption in the film industry also,” Sawant said.“As far as I was concerned, this was just in the beginning. But I hadtalent and I didn’t have to give in. I learnt to say no. And I used mytalent as an artist to make my way through life. I suggest all strugglersto have patience and not surrender to the temptation of shortcuts.”

Sawant said she supports Saroj Khan in the opinion that there is nocoercion involved when sexual favours are exchanged.

“Nobody rapes anyone in this film industry. It’s all consensual andvoluntary. In this, I fully support Saroj *ji*. At least she has spoken hermind and let the world know the truth,” Sawant said. “People in Bollywooddon’t speak out the truth about the casting couch although it is happeningright here in front of their eyes. They feel they are making their way upwhy should they bother with what’s happening around them? I really admireSaroj *ji* for letting the world know the reality that they have to faceevery day. Saroj *ji *has seen what goes here.”

Sawant also revealed how rampant sexual favours are in the film industry.

“Young girls are willing to make any compromise to get going in theircareer,” she said, adding in Hindi, “Girls these days are ready to doanything to get work. Why to blame producers for this?”

“A lot of girls come in the film industry to become heroines but becomesomething else… you understand what I am saying? Call it destiny or whatyou will,” Sawant said.

However, she added that aspiring actors shouldn’t give up.

“Have faith in your talent. Have patience. Don’t give in to shortcuts. I’veseen so many girls throw themselves at producers. This is not good…Salman Khan and Priyanka Chopra are superstars because of their hard workand not for any other reason. The ones who take the shortcut end up on adifferent track altogether. Don’t do this to yourself. And don’t blameproducers for taking what you have to offer,” she said.

“I keep telling the strugglers not to give in. *Lekin kya karenge, Mumbaihai hi itni *expensive city [But what to do, Mumbai is very expensive]. Idon’t want to denigrate Bollywood. But because Saroj *ji* has raised hervoice I am supporting her.”