Three-time National Award-winning choreographer Saroj Khan has now apologised for defending the casting couch in Bollywood.

Speaking at a press conference recently, the veteran choreographer had openly defended casting couch in the film industry by saying that it at least 'provided girls with a livelihood.' She said that everyone takes advantage of women and it is unfair to blame just the film industry for casting couch.

As quoted by an entertainment website, Saroj said, " Should I say something? This is going on for ages, it is not new. Someone or the other always try to take advantage of a girl. The government does it too, then why are we only behind the film industry? It provides livelihood at least. It does not rape and leave you."

"It is up to the girl, what she wants to do. If you don't want to fall into wrong hands, you won't. If you have art, why would you sell yourself? Don't take the film industry's name, it is everything to us," added Khan.

Saroj Khan who has choreographed more than 2000 songs in Hindi films was criticised by the Twitterati for taking such a stand in the wake of Telugu actress Sri Reddy accusing a top South Indian producer’s son of forcing her for sexual favours. Khan's answer was in response to Sri Reddy’s act of stripping to protest against the culture of the casting couch.