‘Casting couch must be dealt with heavy hand’: Kerala High Court grants bail to film director

The Kerala High Court ensured the “presence and cooperation” of the accused during the ongoing investigation by imposing “stringent bail conditions”. (Image is enhanced using AI)

The Kerala High Court has strongly condemned the “casting couch” practices, holding that such offences exploit “professional aspirations” for “sexual gratification” and must be dealt with a “heavy hand”, while granting bail to a director accused of restraining and physically molesting an aspiring actress.

Justice Jobin Sebastian was hearing a plea filed by a film director seeking bail in a case alleging “casting couch” practices in which he allegedly lured the complainant, an aspirant actress, into a room under the pretext of discussing a film script in which a prominent actor was to play the lead role and outraged her modesty by physical molestation.

Calling it a“matter of grave concern”, the court noted the specific allegation that the accused wrongfully restrained the complainant and physically molested her, holding that such conduct amounts to a “serious affront to the dignity of women”.

“Consequently, offences of this nature, which exploit professional aspirations for sexual gratification, must be dealt with by the Court with a heavy hand,” Justice Sebastian said.

However, the high court found that the director had been in judicial custody since December 3, 2025 and that the investigation had crossed its “major and crucial stages”, observing that further incarceration would not serve “any useful purpose”.

The court, in its December 30 order passed last year, held that the “presence and cooperation” of the accused during the ongoing investigation could be ensured by imposing “stringent bail conditions” and granted bail.

The court, while granting bail to the director, included the following conditions: The high court further directed that if the director violates any of the bail conditions, the investigating officer would be at “liberty” to file a bail cancellation application before the concerned court, which may pass “appropriate orders”, notwithstanding the fact that the bail was granted by this court.

The “casting couch” refers to a persistent malpractice in the entertainment industry, where individuals in positions of power, such as directors or producers, demand sexual favours or other compromises from aspiring actors and actresses in exchange for roles or career advancement.

Several actors and actresses have publicly acknowledged being propositioned or being aware of others who were exploited through such practices.