Abhishek Banerjee, the acclaimed actor currently basking in the success of “Stree 2,” has shared insights into the stringent measures his casting agency, Casting Bay, employs to ensure a safe and professional environment for women. Beyond his acting prowess, Banerjee has been a casting director for 15 years and co-owns Casting Bay, a prominent casting agency based in Mumbai.
In an exclusive interview with NDTV, Banerjee discussed the comprehensive policies his company has put in place to safeguard the interests and well-being of female employees and actors who interact with the agency. One of the cornerstone rules emphasized by Banerjee is the prohibition of meetings outside the office setting. He highlighted the prevalent culture of coffee shop and restaurant meetings in Bombay, which he believes compromises professionalism. Banerjee stressed, “The first thing we did was that we decided on a rule that we will not do any meetings or none of our employees are allowed to do any meetings outside our office. Because the problem which was really deep-seated was that there was a lot of coffee shop-meeting culture in Bombay. ‘Let’s meet at this coffee shop, meet at this restaurant.’ We wanted to say ‘No, that’s not professional. We are not going to work in a coffee shop. You are not meeting to eat food or have coffee. You are meeting for work. So let’s keep it professional. You come to our office, whoever wants to meet, we will give you time. You come, speak to us, and then you go’.”
This firm stance against informal meeting settings is designed to maintain a strictly professional environment and eliminate scenarios that could lead to discomfort or inappropriate behavior. By insisting that all meetings be held within the office premises, Banerjee ensures that there is a clear delineation between personal and professional interactions.
Further elaborating on the agency’s policies, Banerjee addressed the rules regarding communication, specifically messaging women. He stated, “None of our employees are allowed to message female actors after a certain point.
. If you do that, strict actions will be taken which we have. We have fired employees who have messaged actresses at a certain hour which was probably objectionable. We created a system where women would feel safe.” This strict enforcement of messaging policies underscores the commitment to creating a harassment-free environment.
Banerjee’s proactive approach includes not only setting these rules but also taking decisive actions against those who breach them. By firing employees who have crossed boundaries, he sends a clear message that inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated under any circumstances.
In a different conversation with Bollywood Hungama, Amar Kaushik, the director of “Stree 2,” shared feedback on Shraddha Kapoor’s limited screen time in the movie. Addressing fan concerns, Kaushik explained, “Some people even complained that Shraddha Kapoor’s screen time is less. Lekin agar Shraddha zyada dikhti, toh jis tarah ki entry ki usne, uska impact nahin hota (But if Shraddha had been more visible, the kind of entry she made would not have had an impact).” Kaushik emphasized that every actor’s role duration is dictated by the script’s requirements, and the focus remains on what serves the story best.
He added that for actors such as Aparshakti Khurana, screen time is allocated based on the narrative’s needs rather than any extrinsic considerations. Kaushik remarked, “We write what is required,” indicating a commitment to the integrity of the script over individual screen presence.
Banerjee’s success with “Stree 2” is made even more significant by his dual role as an actor and a casting director. His extensive experience in the industry has equipped him to handle sensitive workplace issues with the gravity they deserve. By implementing such stringent measures at Casting Bay, he hopes to set a benchmark for others in the industry.
The commitment to maintaining professional boundaries and creating a safe working environment is an ongoing process. Banerjee’s leadership at Casting Bay is characterized by an unwavering dedication to these principles, ensuring that women feel respected, safe, and valued in their professional interactions.
In conclusion, Abhishek Banerjee’s approach to fostering a professional and safe environment for women in his casting agency is a commendable step towards addressing workplace harassment in the film industry. His policies reflect a broader effort to instill a culture of respect and professionalism, setting an example for others to follow.
