“Casting couch does exist in the filmy arena

Melanie nazareth is a personality to reckon with in the television World. She played a pivotal role in many serials beginning from TV shows Chuddiyaan, Bhaghovat, Babul Ka Angana Chute Na and also Rajshri Production House - Television show, ”Jhilmil Sitaron Ka Angan to Kabool Hai.” Melanie always wanted to work for Television shows but films happened to her and now she is looking forward to the release of her debut film, 'Ek Tera Saath'. She is starring opposite the well-known TV star, Sharad Malhotra.

Debuting with a fresh new production house, Melaine is happy, "I started acting with school stage shows then television serials and now I am debuting with my first film, "Ek Tera Saath" being directed by Arshad Siddique. Though I was not keen on doing films, but I got this break through my best girlfriend. I am happy for having bestowed upon this chance to work in films. If not for big banners, I feel it’s the story and the character has to be good. Also, if the director puts it up exactly like how he has penned the story, then I am sure the audiences will like the film. Nothing is big or small. I know everyone begins at one point in time and so working with not a known production house, I have no regrets. But yes, after my film releases and filmmakers will like my work, I will surely get to work with them as well.”

Acting is an inborn quality, says Melanie, "Yes, I have been very tomboyish kind from my childhood days. I do whatever I like to do. I unhesitatingly like to do challenging stuff. Therefore, I chose to perform this character in Ek Tera Saath which falls in a thriller genre. I have tasted being haunted. I play an insurance officer, playing this character wasn’t very tough. I got to rediscover my inner strength while performing this character.”

While performing a smooch scene, Melanie did not have any inhibitions, "Definitely not. I know there were so many people around the sets. I am to perform it professionally. There is no need to get involved. You guys will get to watch a smooch scene which prolongs for just 30 to 40 seconds’ we performed it in just one take. Believe me, when the hero Sharad Malhotra teased me stating there is a smooch scene, I thought he was joking with me. However, Director Arshad came forward and explained it to me. I performed it without any hitch as it is a part of our job. My limitations of wearing a Bikini and doing intimate scenes and a smooch scene will always be done on par with the requirement of the script and nothing more or less than that. “

Melanie’s strength is her maturity, "Yes, the support and openness that I have been brought up in being an Army officer's daughter. My father has taught me –honesty, frankness and always speak the truth. Indeed, I always speak my heart openly. Then maybe people might sometimes not like it. However, I opine that having these traits people after knowing me, love me for all of it. My dad has always been my strength. My parents do not belong from the industry but they trust me and I shall never break their trust ever.”

Lastly, Melanie did encounter a casting couch incident, "Just last year some south Indian filmmakers had approached me. I was called at a five-star hotel for auditions. There were a few more girls along with me who had come and gone. But whenever I asked them if I could leave they would request me to sit for a while. Undeniably, I decided to leave as it was turning dark, so I got up and told them I am leaving. Out of courtesy one of the filmmakers just accompanied me till the lift. He decided to get into the lift. No sooner did the lift started moving he tried to touch me. I tried pushing him off. Finally, the lift stopped and I managed to escape from the lift. Trust me for about ten minutes I was shaken and did not know what had happened? This lift encounter with the south filmmaker was horrible. I would not like to name this filmmaker but yes will only say, "Casting couch does exist here but we should know how to safeguard our interest and try to avoid any not such unpleasant happenings," concludes Melanie.

By Lipika Varma