Bhubaneswar, June 26: A fresh controversy regarding casting couch has hit the Odia film industry here today.

The incident comes a day after a social organisation lodged a complaint against comedian Pappu Pom Pom accusing him of soliciting sexual favours from a minor to land her a role in a movie.

In the latest incident, actress Sarmistha Priyadarshini today filed a complaint against some popular personalities in the Odia film and television industry alleging that they had sought sexual favours from her while giving her a role in a movie.

Priyadarshini, in her complaint lodged with Mahila police, named event manager Bapi Jena and directors Subrat Nayak and Tapas Sargharia saying they had harassed her mentally and physically when she did not oblige them.

To support her claims, Priyadarshini showed her chat history on WhatsApp and other social networking sites with Jena, Nayak and Sargharia. "The event manager told me that I would not be given any role if I did not agree to spend a night with him. The directors also sought similar favours from me," she said.

In her complaint, Priyadarshini has also named director Chandi Parija and husband-wife producer duo of tele-serials Nihar Samal and Bini Samal.

However, speaking to The Telegraph, all those named in Priyadarshini's complaint have refuted the allegations levelled against them.

"The producers had threatened to throw me out of the serial if I did not obey them. I want strict action to be taken against them. I want them punished," she added.

In another development, the social organisation that had filed a complaint against Pappu, today asked the Mahila police station to expedite the probe process.

Refuting the allegations levelled against him, the comedian told The Telegraph today that he had never sought any sexual favour from the girl.

"She lives near my house and once she had asked me for money for her studies. I could not her help her financially. But I always encouraged her to study. Later, she also asked for help to her get into the film industry. She kept chasing me when I said that I could not do anything to help her," said Pappu.

"A few months ago, I met the girl's mother and told her about her daughter's tantrums. I also spoke to police officers around four months ago, and they asked me to stay away from the girl. I do not know how the issue of seeking sexual favours cropped up all of a sudden," he said.

The actor also said that he was on the "verge of committing suicide". "My children doubt me and so does my wife. It has become very difficult for me to stay with my family," he added. The issue has sent the film industry into a tizzy. A number of young actresses came out in the public recently to admit that they had faced casting couch problems in the industry.

Leena Das admitted to have been asked to compromise during her initial days in the industry. Others, such as Sonika Roy and Jina Samal, have also opened up on the issue.

Veteran filmmakers, however, said talent was the only requirement for getting good films.

"During our times, we did not face any such problem. What one should keep in mind is that if the script is good and if there are acting skills in the person, one does not need anything else," said National Award winning director Gadadhar Puty.