Model and reality TV contestant Akanksha Choudhary has alleged that an influential figure in the entertainment industry demanded sexual favours in exchange for financial assistance when she was preparing to participate in a beauty pageant, writes India Today.
The 24-year-old made the revelation after being evicted from Lock Upp: Sach Ya Sazaa ahead of the show’s finale week.
Speaking on the programme, Choudhary became emotional while recounting the incident.
Hosts Farah Khan and Riteish Deshmukh praised her for speaking publicly about her experience.
Choudhary said she needed between ₹1 lakh and ₹2 lakh to cover pageant training and wardrobe expenses but was unable to afford it.
She claimed she approached an influential person in the industry—whom she chose not to identify—for financial help.
According to Choudhary, she had known him for years as he had previously served as a judge at beauty pageants.
She said she had offered to repay the money by working for him, citing her engineering background and communication skills.
After he agreed to meet, she visited his home.
According to Choudhary, the meeting quickly turned uncomfortable.
“He came towards me and hugged me. But he didn’t just hug me. He grabbed me. After that, he wouldn’t take his hands off me,” she alleged.
The reality star claimed she pushed him away, after which he allegedly told her that if she had agreed to be with him earlier, she would already have been working in the industry.
She further alleged that he offered her financial support on the condition that she have sex with him several times over the course of a month.
Choudhary said she immediately refused, telling him she would never have visited had she known his intentions.
She claimed he responded by saying she would regret rejecting the offer and suggested that success in the industry was impossible without such compromises.
Reflecting on the incident, Choudhary said, “Six months later, I was on a very big show. One year later, I am standing on one of the biggest stages.”
Following her account, Farah Khan commended Choudhary for standing by her principles.
“I hope he is watching this show and sees where you are today. Your thinking is not backward, but right. I am proud of you,” Farah said.
Riteish Deshmukh added that her story could inspire others facing similar situations.
“It is really important that you stood up for yourself. Your story will help many girls in the same field. I hope he is watching this show and realises that you reached such a big platform through your hard work after rejecting his offer,” he said.
The grand finale of Lock Upp: Sach Ya Sazaa is scheduled to take place on 5 August.
