COVID PAY CUT IN THE TV INDUSTRY: IS IT FAIR?

The entire economy has been hit by Covid-19 and the subsequent lockdown, including the TV industry. As business on the small screen slowly limps back to normal, several measures have been taken to minimise further financial distress, including pay cuts for actors.

“Of course, pay cuts will happen. Our industry largely depends on ad revenue. Everything is linked – advertisers to broadcaster, broadcasters to producers, producers to artistes and technicians,” says producer JD Majethia.

Actor Dheeraj Dhoopar, who has resumed the shoot of his show Kundali Bhagya, admits it’s a very challenging time for everyone financially. “No one is taking advantage of these difficult times. But pay cuts should be done mutually. No

SHARAD MALHOTRA ACTOR

one should be pressurised. Reaching this position took me years and I know I deserve something. But I am also aware of the difficult time,” he shares.

Actor Sharad Malhotra feels everybody should come together – be it producers, actors or channels. “People who are offering me shows are telling me ‘Sir, abhi problem hai’. I tell them I am ready to cooperate,” he says.

While actors are not averse to a pay cut, Zaan Khan,who is still waiting to be paid for his last show, Hamari Bahu Silk, feels it should be fair and those

JD MAJETHIA PRODUCER

who already earn way less should be spared. “My friend, also an actor, was working on ₹6,000 per day earlier. Now it has come down to ₹3,000. Then he has to give 10% in TDS and pay 20% to his coordinator, so what’s left? Do pay cuts par salary dekh ke karo,” he says.

So how will the pay cuts be determined? Majethia feels a number of things decide that. “It will vary from show to show and artiste to artiste. Pay cuts will happen mostly in the higher category, jinka bahut kam hai they may not have to go through it. On the whole, the industry can look at around 1525%,” he says.

Binaifer Kohli, producer of the show, Bhabhiji Ghar Par Hai!, which resumed shooting, feels all sensible actors will agree to a pay cut. “There may be somebody who will argue that they are the face of the show. They have to understand when the show did well, they were given raises so this also is valid,” she says.

Not everyone agrees, though. Actor Hunar Hale says pay cuts are making things tougher for TV actors. “Despite working for 10 years, my counterparts get more than me,” she says, adding, “Now there will be budget constraints which means we will get paid way lesser than before. When you’re going out and shooting, you are putting your life at risk. And now the pay is less, there is just too much at stake.”

PHOTOS: INSTAGRAM AND FOTOCORP Actors Hunar Hale and (right) Zaan Khan (Clockwise from left) Producer JD Majethia, actors Dheeraj Dhoopar and Sharad Malhotra