Sunny Khurma
Cheif Editor
Mumbai, October 1, 2026: Actor Swara Bhasker has spoken about a disturbing experience from the early years of her film career, recalling how a director allegedly made repeated unwanted advances and later arrived at her room while intoxicated.
Swara shared the experience during a conversation on Rise & Fall Season 2, while discussing the difficulties young actors can face when working with powerful people in the film industry.
She said the incident took place when she was still relatively new in the industry and was working on a major film after gaining recognition from Tanu Weds Manu.
According to Swara, the director began sending her personal messages and allegedly tried to create situations where the two would rehearse privately.
She said the behaviour made her increasingly uncomfortable because the filmmaker held significant professional authority over her work.
Swara recalled that on one occasion she became frightened by the situation and left. Later that night, she alleged, the director came to her room while apparently intoxicated and repeatedly knocked on the door.
She said that when she eventually spoke to him, he asked her for physical affection, which she refused, telling him that she felt uncomfortable and wanted him to leave.
The actor did not identify the filmmaker by name while recounting the incident.
Swara has previously spoken publicly about harassment she says she faced during an outdoor shoot early in her career. In an account published years earlier, she had said that a director repeatedly contacted her, invited her to dinner and later came to her room after drinking.
She had also explained that, at the time, she initially struggled to recognise the behaviour as harassment and later sought support from a senior member of the production team.
Her latest comments have once again drawn attention to the power imbalance that can exist in the entertainment industry, particularly when newcomers depend on directors, producers and casting decision-makers for professional opportunities.
Swara's account remains her description of events, and the director concerned has not been publicly identified in connection with her latest remarks.
The discussion also highlights a broader concern about ensuring professional boundaries and safe working environments for actors and other members of film crews.
By sharing the experience again several years later, Swara said she wanted to underline how difficult it can be for young professionals to respond when inappropriate behaviour comes from someone who has influence over their career.
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