Hansal Mehta’s documentary offer is admirable, though.
By The American Bazaar Staff
WASHINGTON, DC: For the talented and beautiful actress, Shweta Basu Prasad, 23, who gained notoriety after being disclosed as taking to prostitution to maintain her lifestyle, and then remanded to a support home as she battled legal charges, director Hansal Mehta’s offer to do a documentary film is not the need of the hour, for herself or for society.
Prasad, if she really wants to help fledgling actresses like herself who struggle to make a living in the film industry in India, needs to put the spotlight on her own predicament over the years, what forced her to joining the oldest profession in history.
Highlighting the slippery road to financial constraints within the industry and then becoming helpless to a situation where she had to compromise with her body, is rich material for a film or a book.
Mehta was reported by The Hindustan Times as saying of Prasad: “We spoke over the phone. I called her and we met in my office as well. We spoke for a long time, and I have offered her a role in a documentary which will be based on Hindustani classical music.â€
Mehta added: “Even I agree that no one should offer her a role out of sympathy. My intention was never that. We all know that she is talented and it was a no-brainer to cast her in the project.â€
The rehabilitated Prasad had this to say: “I don’t want roles for sympathy. If the role suits me, I will act in the film. I am re-inventing myself, and will be back to normal soon.â€
Prasad, who was quoted after the prostitution sting as saying that there are plenty of more actresses like her who take to prostitution to make a respectable living, never opened her mouth as to who were the people in the industry who forced her into prostitution, or the clients she serviced.
So, Shweta Basu Prasad, it’s important you reveal the politicians, businessmen and high profile personalities who took advantage of you.
Do it for the sake of other actresses like yourself. Save them from perdition.