Upasana Singh Alleges Harassment and Disrespect Within CINTAA, Recalls ‘Humiliating’ Treatment
Veteran actress Upasana Singh, a familiar face in both Hindi cinema and television, has leveled serious allegations against the leadership and environment within the Cine and Television Artistes’ Association (CINTAA). In a recent revelation, the actress claimed that she and several other members were subjected to systematic disrespect and belittlement during their tenure with the organization.
A Desire to Give Back
Upasana, who rose from humble beginnings in Shyarpur to become a household name in the entertainment industry, explained that her decision to join CINTAA was rooted in a sense of gratitude.
“I came here because I got a lot from the industry. I started from zero. Today, if people know me all over the world, it is because of my career,” she stated. Her motivation, she noted, was to advocate for the welfare of not only actors but also the essential technicians behind the scenes—the people she believes are the backbone of the film fraternity.
Allegations of Elitism and Insults
However, her experience with the association was far from collaborative. The actress alleged that she was frequently targeted with disparaging remarks, particularly concerning her professional status as a “character artist” and her proficiency in English.
“So many insulting things happened. I was called ‘Tom, Dick and Harry.’ I was told, ‘You are a character artist and I am a star,’” Upasana shared. She claimed that these elitist attitudes were used to undermine her contributions during meetings, with her lack of fluent English often weaponized to demean her in front of peers.
These long-standing tensions have brought her previous public disagreements with veteran actresses Poonam Dhillon and Padmini Kolhapure back into the spotlight. Upasana suggests that these conflicts were fundamentally rooted in the toxic culture and the hierarchical treatment of members within CINTAA.
The ‘Deepak Parashar’ Incident
Perhaps the most distressing account provided by the actress involves a confrontation between veteran actor Deepak Parashar and CP Thakur. According to Upasana, the interaction was so aggressive and degrading that it left Parashar physically distraught.
“Deepak Parashar left crying. CP Thakur talked to him so rudely. After that, I had to take him to the hospital because he started having pain,” she recalled. She emphasized that this was not an isolated event but rather one of many incidents of mistreatment that members endured for over two and a half years, eventually leading to multiple resignations.
A Call for Accountability
Upasana’s remarks have reignited conversations regarding the internal governance of industry bodies. By highlighting the alleged toxic behavior, she is urging for greater transparency and respect within the organization, suggesting that the minutes of their committee meetings would reveal the truth behind her claims.
As the industry reflects on these allegations, Upasana continues to focus on her professional life, recently starring in the Hindi comedy-drama Tomchi, which hit theaters on May 30, 2025. Her decision to speak out serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by veteran artists who aim to transition from performing to organizational advocacy.
