Chahatt Khanna Recalls Being Molested By Uncle In Her Society: 'He Gave Me Chocolates, Made Me Sit On His Lap'

Television actress Chahatt Khanna, known for her role in Bade Achhe Lagte Hain, recently shared a disturbing childhood memory of being molested by a neighbor, a realization that dawned years later. Television actress Chahatt Khanna, best known for her role as Ayesha Sharma in the popular TV show Bade Achhe Lagte Hain, recently opened up about a deeply unsettling experience from her childhood—one she only came to fully comprehend in hindsight. Speaking in a candid interview with Hauterrfly, Chahatt recalled an incident involving an elderly man in her society, who she now realises had molested her when she was a child.

“This happened when I was very young," Chahatt said. “There was this uncle in my society—he was known to be a kind, sweet Bengali uncle. He used to make me sit on his lap and give me chocolates.



I didn’t think much of it back then." It wasn’t until two years ago that she began to process the reality of what had occurred. “I met my childhood friend, and she told me about how she had filed a molestation case against the same uncle.

That’s when it hit me—he used to do the same things to me. She was a little older, so she understood it back then. I didn’t.

" In the same conversation, the actress also addressed the ongoing issue of exploitation in the entertainment industry, especially the uncomfortable euphemism of “compromise" in film contracts—a word that often carries disturbing implications for aspiring female actors. “When you’re a newcomer, people try to take advantage because they know you’re naive," Chahatt revealed. “They’d say things like ‘Madam, compromise’—and you’d be left figuring out what that even means.

It’s prevalent in both the South and Bollywood industries. The only difference is, in the South, they are more direct about it." She also disclosed the shocking reality of contracts that openly included such exploitative clauses.

“I’ve seen contracts where it was written clearly—you have to compromise with the hero, the director, the producer...

basically everyone except the spot boy. I’ve heard these stories, seen them unfold. Thankfully, no one ever crossed that line with me personally.

" Despite the industry’s darker underbelly, Chahatt has built a successful career over the years. She made her small-screen debut with Hero: Bhakti Hi Shakti Hai, and later appeared in popular serials like Kumkum – Ek Pyara Sa Bandhan, Kaajjal, and Qubool Hai. Her breakthrough came with the role of Ayesha Sharma Kapoor in Bade Achhe Lagte Hain.

She has also been seen in films like Thank You, 71⁄2 Phere: More Than a Wedding, Prassthanam, and more recently, Yaatris in 2023..