Sanchita Ugale death: Roadies 8 winner Aanchal alleges exploitation, industry pressure
Roadies 8 winner and actor Aanchal Khurana reacted to TV actor Sanchita Ugale's death and spoke about the pressure actors face. Her remarks pointed to alleged exploitation, rejection and the mental strain she says the industry often ignores.
MTV Roadies 8 winner and Bade Achhe Lagte Hain 2 actor Aanchal Khurana has reacted to the death of actor Sanchita Ugale. Sharing a video on social media on Monday, she spoke about the pressures, rejection and alleged exploitation that performers often face in the entertainment industry. In the video, Khurana also questioned whether enough attention is paid to the struggles actors deal with behind the scenes, even as audiences consume the content they create.
30-year-old Sanchita Ugale died by suicide on June 14. Speaking in the video, Khurana linked Ugale's death to broader concerns about working conditions in the industry. "Another actor has died by suicide. Sanchita Ugale. Channels want TRPs, producers want to save budgets, and audiences want entertainment. But has anyone ever thought about what an actor goes through?" she said.
Khurana went on to allege that performers are frequently replaced over minor disagreements or for refusing inappropriate advances.
"Even a small issue can lead to replacement. If you refuse to sleep with someone, you get replaced. If you stand up for your self-respect and argue, you get replaced or your workdays are reduced. Has anyone really thought about what actors or influencers are going through, the ones who are dying by suicide?" she said.
Reflecting on the uncertainty many actors experience, Khurana described a cycle of auditions, comparisons and rejection.
"Every morning we wake up with hope, give an audition, and every evening we go to sleep after facing comparison and rejection," she said. "Everyone says, 'Be strong', but no one tells you for how long or how many times you have to keep being strong," she added.
Aanchal Khurana also alleged that commercial considerations often take precedence over the well-being of artists.
"Trust me, this has happened to me too. Even if your audition is good and you're a performer, they will still reject you for Rs 1,000. And if you're not willing to flirt or do anything inappropriate, they will replace you. That's very easy for them," she said.
Sharing her own experience with stress, the actor urged people to lean on their families during difficult periods.
"Whenever you feel life is over and nothing is working out, go back home. That's exactly what I do. Right now, I am in Delhi with my parents because I was also under a lot of pressure and stress. Being alone, depression can consume you. And trust me, neither the producer nor the channel will come to help you. Please stay close to your family," she said.
Watch the entire video here:
According to Assistant Police Inspector Vinod Bagh of Achole Police Station, the incident took place at Ugale's residence in Sai Santoshi Building in Achole Village, Nalasopara East. Police said the actor had allegedly locked the bedroom door and died by suicide between 7 pm and 7.30 pm on June 14.
Family members and local residents rushed Ugale to Vasai-Virar Municipal Hospital, where doctors declared the actor dead on arrival. Police later reached the spot, completed the required procedures, prepared an inquest report and sent the body for a post-mortem examination.
Based on a complaint filed by the actor's father, Machhindra Ugale, Achole Police registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) under Section 194 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita on June 15.
MTV Roadies 8 winner and Bade Achhe Lagte Hain 2 actor Aanchal Khurana has reacted to the death of actor Sanchita Ugale. Sharing a video on social media on Monday, she spoke about the pressures, rejection and alleged exploitation that performers often face in the entertainment industry. In the video, Khurana also questioned whether enough attention is paid to the struggles actors deal with behind the scenes, even as audiences consume the content they create.
30-year-old Sanchita Ugale died by suicide on June 14. Speaking in the video, Khurana linked Ugale's death to broader concerns about working conditions in the industry. "Another actor has died by suicide. Sanchita Ugale. Channels want TRPs, producers want to save budgets, and audiences want entertainment. But has anyone ever thought about what an actor goes through?" she said.
Khurana went on to allege that performers are frequently replaced over minor disagreements or for refusing inappropriate advances.
"Even a small issue can lead to replacement. If you refuse to sleep with someone, you get replaced. If you stand up for your self-respect and argue, you get replaced or your workdays are reduced. Has anyone really thought about what actors or influencers are going through, the ones who are dying by suicide?" she said.
Reflecting on the uncertainty many actors experience, Khurana described a cycle of auditions, comparisons and rejection.
"Every morning we wake up with hope, give an audition, and every evening we go to sleep after facing comparison and rejection," she said. "Everyone says, 'Be strong', but no one tells you for how long or how many times you have to keep being strong," she added.
Aanchal Khurana also alleged that commercial considerations often take precedence over the well-being of artists.
"Trust me, this has happened to me too. Even if your audition is good and you're a performer, they will still reject you for Rs 1,000. And if you're not willing to flirt or do anything inappropriate, they will replace you. That's very easy for them," she said.
Sharing her own experience with stress, the actor urged people to lean on their families during difficult periods.
"Whenever you feel life is over and nothing is working out, go back home. That's exactly what I do. Right now, I am in Delhi with my parents because I was also under a lot of pressure and stress. Being alone, depression can consume you. And trust me, neither the producer nor the channel will come to help you. Please stay close to your family," she said.
Watch the entire video here:
According to Assistant Police Inspector Vinod Bagh of Achole Police Station, the incident took place at Ugale's residence in Sai Santoshi Building in Achole Village, Nalasopara East. Police said the actor had allegedly locked the bedroom door and died by suicide between 7 pm and 7.30 pm on June 14.
Family members and local residents rushed Ugale to Vasai-Virar Municipal Hospital, where doctors declared the actor dead on arrival. Police later reached the spot, completed the required procedures, prepared an inquest report and sent the body for a post-mortem examination.
Based on a complaint filed by the actor's father, Machhindra Ugale, Achole Police registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) under Section 194 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita on June 15.
