Television actor Asha Negi, best known for her role in Pavitra Rishta, has opened up about a disturbing casting couch encounter from the early days of her career. In a candid interview with Hauterfly, Negi reflected on the manipulative tactics employed by a coordinator and her decision to stand firm against compromising her values to succeed in the industry.

Asha recounted an unsettling meeting with a coordinator during her early 20s, who hinted that compromising was the norm for those aiming to succeed in television. “Back then, there were coordinators. This was some random guy I ended up meeting. He started talking about television and was almost trying to brainwash me, saying this is how you will grow. He told me, ‘Jitne bhi bade TV actors hai, all have done it (all the big actors have done it),’” Negi shared.

Although the coordinator never directly asked her to compromise, Negi sensed his intentions and immediately questioned whether she wanted to continue pursuing her dream under such circumstances. “I told him, ‘If this happens, then I’m not interested,’” she said, expressing the inner conflict she faced.

While she managed to respond assertively, Negi admitted that the experience left her feeling terrified. Hoping for some reassurance, she reached out to a friend, only to be met with indifference. “My friend just said, ‘All this happens; it’s normal.’ He wasn’t shocked at all,” she revealed.

Despite this early setback, Asha Negi went on to carve out a successful career in television, appearing in popular shows like Pavitra Rishta and the web series Baarish. She also gained fame through her participation in Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi 6. By sharing her experience, Negi shines a light on the troubling reality many face in the entertainment industry, while also serving as an inspiration for those determined not to compromise their integrity.