Trigger warning: Sexual Harassment
This person posted an ad on Instagram for a casting call regarding a modelling gig for a big brand. He said I was pretty, but he wasn’t looking for someone in a wheelchair for that specific modelling gig, but he would keep me in mind for future projects.
A couple of months later, he posted again for another project. I messaged him again, just to remind him of me. He then proceeds to tell me that if it weren’t for my condition, he’d be horny for me. To be honest, I was taken aback by his disgusting message, and I told him off.
First and foremost, my disability doesn’t make me any less desirable. Secondly, he shouldn’t EVER be speaking to anyone in such a way, no matter their gender, physical condition, race, caste, or sexual preference. This is online sexual harassment.
Just because he’s “influential” doesn’t give him the right to speak to me or anyone in such a way. This is an exploitation of his privilege and “influence”. In the age of the #MeToo movement, you would think people in would have common sense, but that’s what’s lacking, common sense.
I know by speaking up against him, I am jeopardising my chances of getting future work in the industry, but I honestly don’t care. My sentiments weren’t hurt by him, but it aggravated me. I have PTSD because men like him have tried to take advantage of me and my disability.
Just so they could sleep with me in exchange for work in the industry. The sad truth is that many people from the entertainment industry are like this, albeit not everyone. Please don’t get me wrong, not everyone in the industry is like this, but some people are.
My self-respect, morals, and dignity are worth more than my need for work. I am an extremely hard-working person and the first wheelchair-using model in India. I have worked for many prestigious brands as a freelance model.
Receiving such messages really brings me down because I know I’m not the first person this man has messaged in the hopes of tricking someone into bed to get work. This is the dark truth.
He also had the audacity to change his username to @itsrajivofficial on Instagram, and he’s blocked me. Please share this and report his account on Instagram.
Update on October 4: Rajiv Oberoi has been posing as a producer and casting director. It’s come to light that his whole profile including his website is fake. The photo he’s using is that of Rahul Nanda.
Every single photograph of “Rajiv Oberoi” on Instagram is photoshopped or morphed in order to portray himself as an influential media tycoon.
Through his “influence” he’s asking women to send him bold photos and/or asking them to “compromise” with the false promise of work.
On his website he’s associating himself with well known directors in the entertainment industry but as it turns out, his website is also fake. Screenshots of the same.
After my post went viral many women stepped forward, who wish to remain anonymous, and have shared their stories as well. This is a huge fraud and for the same, I’m going to be filing a police complaint so he can’t get away with it again.