The "casting couch" refers to the practice where a person in a position of power (like a director or producer) demands sexual favours from a job applicant or a subordinate in exchange for a role or other career advancement. This falls squarely under the definition of sexual harassment, particularly 'quid pro quo' harassment ('this for that'). As defined in the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, sexual harassment includes demanding or requesting sexual favours. While it could escalate to sexual assault (which involves physical contact), the demand or pressure itself is a form of sexual harassment.