Archive · 13 Nov 2025
Rithvik Dhanjani Recounts Casting Couch Trauma At 20
A famous TV actor named Rithvik Dhanjani shared a scary story from when he was young and just starting his acting career.
He went to a place in Mumbai where actors look for jobs.
A casting director picked him, saying he got the part.
Rithvik was so happy!
But the director asked Rithvik to ride on his bike to a strange, dark place that wasn't an office.
There, the director touched Rithvik in a way that made him feel frozen and very scared because he was only 20.
He managed to get away and told a friend.
He even thought about quitting acting.
Now, Rithvik hopes that things are safer in the acting world because of movements like #MeToo.
He wants people to speak up if something bad happens to them.
Rithvik Dhanjani shared a casting couch incident he experienced at age 20 in Mumbai.
A casting director lured him to a secluded, dark location under the guise of offering a role.
Dhanjani described feeling terrified and physically shaking during the unwanted advances.
The incident led him to consider quitting the industry, but a friend encouraged him.
He expressed hope for industry change post-#MeToo and urged victims to speak up.
- Who
- Rithvik Dhanjani, a popular television actor and host
- What
- Recounted a traumatic casting couch experience from early in his career where a casting director made unwanted advances.
- When
- Early in his career, when he was 20 years old.
- Where
- Mumbai, specifically Aram Nagar, and a secluded, dark location disguised as the casting director's office.
- Why
- The casting director lured Dhanjani to a secluded location under the false pretense of a role, intending to make unwanted physical advances.
Victim Perspective
Industry Change Perspective
Impact of Incident
Victim Perspective
Dhanjani experienced terror, shaking, and considered quitting the industry after the unwanted advances.
Industry Change Perspective
Dhanjani hopes for industry change post-#MeToo, advocating for victims to speak up and for predators to be caught.
Awareness of Red Flags
Victim Perspective
Dhanjani admits he should have recognized red flags earlier, such as the casting director not having a car.
Industry Change Perspective
Dhanjani expresses a desire to confront similar individuals forcefully now, contrasting with his past helplessness.
- Name
- Rithvik Dhanjani
- Age at Incident
- 20
- Incident Type
- Casting Couch
- Location
- Mumbai (Aram Nagar)
- Podcast Appearance
- Two Girls & Two Cups
- Dhanjani's Notable Shows
- Pavitra Rishta, Yeh Hai Aashiqui, Bairi Piya, Tere Liye
