PANJIM: The young actress, who was rescued from a high-profile prostitution racket earlier this month, has confessed she fell into the illicit trade to make ends meet. She has told local authorities that many other side actresses in Bollywood are lured into prostitution when roles dry up and they run out of money.
The Tollywood actress, who made small appearances in about three big-budget Hindi movies, has been released to her mother from the Protective Home, Merces. She was lodged at the home after Panjim police busted the prostitution ring at a reputed starred hotel on June 2.
Police sources said the victim said she was encouraged into prostitution to earn money by Mumbai-based pimp Ayesha Sayyad who was bailed out three days after being arrested under the Immoral (Traffic) Prevention Act.
“Her career graph significantly dropped after acting in a few Telugu movies and guest appearances in Hindi films. She had no roles after the release of Dabangg 2. To maintain her high-profile lifestyle, continue to fund her Bollywood dream by attending parties, film premieres and other glamorous events, she was forced into this flesh trade,” an official said seeking anonymity.
“The actress was out of business for a long time. She was left with no choice,” the official said quoting the statement.
According to the officer the victim was aware of the reason she was flown to Goa on June 2. Interestingly, she has reportedly back tracked on her statement to the police earlier that Sayyad had accompanied her to Goa for ‘movie auditioning’ but hoodwinked her into the illicit trade.
The expose has highlighted the film industry’s sleazy dark side linking Goa with officials suspecting that the State is being used as a hub to carry out the trade. The rescued actress has mentioned that a number of pimps in Mumbai have been exploiting the situation of struggling actresses.
Goa Police cracked down on nearly half-a-dozen prostitution rackets this year which include raids on two spas – Maya Ayurvedic Beauty Care & Spa in Panjim and Ayuspa, Porvorim.
