Dibakar wanted to see my bare body: Payal Rohatgi

The issue of the casting couch in Bollywood seems to have reared its ugly head, if allegations by actress Payal Rohatgi are to be believed. The actress, who was seen in films like Plan, 36 China Town and Yeh Kya Ho Raha Hai, claims that she was propositioned by Director Dibakar Banerjee, to get a role in his much anticipated project, 'Shanghai'. In a case of reel to real life, Payal Rohatgi said that the Love, Sex and Dhokha director had reportedly dropped by her home and asked her to take her top off. She said, when she refused to do so, he nixed her from the film.
According to the version of events laid out by Payal, she had gotten in touch with the director after introducing herself to him through a message. They kept conversing and soon became friends, with the actress calling him her mentor.
Trouble in paradise apparently occurred when she talked to him about getting a role in the Emraan Hashmi – Abhay Deol starrer film. She was asked to give an audition for an emotionally tough role in the film. Later, Payal claims Dibakar dropped by her house.
Rohatgi said, “Dibakar commented I had gained weight. He asked me to lift my shirt and show him my stomach. I didn't like it. I told him I was in no mood for jokes. But he did not agree."
After that, according to the actress, their shared camaraderie seemed to have vanished in thin share. He did not return her calls and she got to know much later that the role had gone to someone else.
Meanwhile, the 'Khosla Ka Ghosla' director has a much different story to offer on the episode. He reportedly claims that the actress had contacted him because she wanted to do meaningful films, but after he asked her to give a screen test, she displayed different intentions through her messages.
Banerjee said, "I told her if I wanted to cheat on my wife, I would have had an extra marital affair with a non-star.” He clarified that he did not need to have a physical relationship with someone to cast them in his film.
The director reports that the duo spoke several times after the incident and he advised her on films.
Of the incident in particular, Banerjee said he did go to her house and talk about her weight, but not the way she reported the incident. He also agrees that she tried to contact him after the incident but her messages were angry and she had even called up his casting director in the middle of the night.
On a parting note, the director alleges that this entire incident is old hat for Payal, who has apparently sent messages of a particular nature to other directors as well.