Casting couch slur rocks Odisha film industry as producer Sanjay Nayak & actresses Prakruti & Jasmine trade charges

Bureau,Odishabarta

Bhubaneswar: Ghost of the casting couch returned to haunt Ollywood after WhatsApp conversations between actresses Prakruti Mishra, Jasmine Rath and other artistes, in which they accused producer Sanjay Nayak aka Tutu Nayak of exploiting newcomers, went viral on Friday.

Sharing her experience, Jasmine told the media that she was thrown out of a project for refusing to meet Tutu Nayak at a club in Bhubaneswar.

“I had a professional meeting with him about 4-6 months and he was worried how I would be able to manage dates since I was doing a serial and was under contract. They then asked me to join at a club. Since it was already 10 pm and I was shooting for Manoj Mishra’s ‘Hi Krushan’, I declined. My friend, who is also his relative, called to assure him that there would be no problem. He was also the associate producer of the show I was doing and was therefore managing my dates,” she said while responding to the producer’s press brief in which he alleged that she lacked professionalism and asked her boyfriend to contact him on dates.

Jasmine further alleged that this had hurt his ego and he went on a character assassination drive against her because of which she lost some more movies for which discussions were on.

Earlier speaking to a local channel, Prakruti alleged that Tutu Nayak had only worked as manager of production houses but was laid off. “His father was a renowned producer and he has not produced any film recently.

 He instead lured many newcomers with the false assurance of launching them in movies. Several people associated with him also ‘exploited’ newcomers,” she claimed.

“I have not encountered such a situation, but was informed about him trapping many girls. Tutu Nayak has ruined the lives of many girls,” she added.

In his press briefing, Tutu Nayak said that Prakruti is reacting to the objections raised by him on her alleged relationship with actor Babushaan Mohanty.

He further said that the actress are being instigated by some ‘so called’ producers to level false allegations against him. “The actress who are making such allegations are not focussed on her career. Sameer Ranjan and Rashmi Ranjan, who were making ‘Tora Mora Kati’ with Sailendra as lead actor, had asked me have a look at Jasmine whom they were casting opposite him. I liked her and thought that they would make a good on-screen pair. But there are some professional ethics. I was disappointed when I got a call from her boyfriend to discuss her dates and asked them drop her and go for a more professional artist,” he said.

He also refuted the allegation that he had invited her to the club. “Two or three girls planned to defame me last night and accordingly indulged in such chats. The allegations are coming from people who have contributed little to the industry.

Prakruti said that I have not produced any film after my father’s demise and it is right because I don’t want incur losses,” he said.

He further said that he managed Jhili’s dates as a brother and not a manager. Tutu Nayak said he will come over with proof about this conspiracy against him and take legal action against them.

Reacting to his press briefing, Prakruti questioned his mentality and how in the past he had also tried to tarnish her image and that of her parents. “Girls approached me with their complaints against him because they look up to me. The actresses are now speaking up about their bad experiences in the industry and this is going to hurt the male ego of people like him. They act like goondas and threaten people as is evident from his press briefing,” she said.

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