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Akanksha Choudhary Opens Up About Casting Couch Experience on Reality Show

In a heartfelt moment on Lock Upp: Sach Ya Sazaa, Akanksha Choudhary opened up about a distressing casting couch experience from her beauty pageant days. She revealed how a well-known industry figure made unwanted advances after she sought financial help for her training. Hosts Farah Khan and Riteish Deshmukh showed their support, emphasizing the importance of her story for other women in the industry. The grand finale of the show is scheduled for August 5, promising to be a significant moment for Choudhary and her supporters.
 

Akanksha Choudhary Shares Her Story

Just days prior to her exit from Lock Upp: Sach Ya Sazaa, Akanksha Choudhary became emotional as she recounted a troubling incident related to the casting couch during her time in the beauty pageant industry. The model and reality television personality disclosed that she had once sought financial assistance from a prominent figure in the industry, who had previously judged her in pageants. She needed a loan of approximately "Rs 1-2 lakhs" to fund her training and costume expenses, which her family was unable to support. He agreed to help her without any hesitation and invited her to his residence.


However, what transpired next was far from what she expected. Choudhary described how he approached her, embracing her in a way that quickly turned inappropriate. "He came towards me and hugged me, but it was more than just a hug. He held onto me tightly, and despite my attempts to push him away, he wouldn’t let go," she recounted, noting his age and her discomfort. She also mentioned his unsettling comment, "It’s been a year, good to see you have finally grown up," suggesting that she could have landed acting roles earlier had she acquiesced to his advances.


Hosts Farah Khan and Riteish Deshmukh expressed their support for Choudhary during the segment. Khan remarked, "I hope he is watching this show and realizes where you are now," while Deshmukh highlighted that Choudhary's courage to share her experience on a national platform could inspire and assist many other young women facing similar challenges in the industry.


The grand finale of Lock Upp: Sach Ya Sazaa is set to air on August 5.