Hindustan Times ST (Jaipur) - Hindustan Times (Jaipur) - City
Background dancers hit hard by Covid-19 crisis
You see them in every film song, dancing alongside famous actors, but you don’t know them. A crucial part of Hindi films — they are the background dancers. And with shoots on hold, they’re worried about their finances. A video featuring some of them requesting the fraternity to extend support, recently went viral.
NOT ENOUGH FINANCIAL HELP
As seen in the video, Melvin couldn’t make it to his home in Bihar. He tells us, “We work on per day income basis, and the pay doesn’t come on time. Even though the government has issued an order that tenants don’t need to pay rent during quarantine, nobody listens.”
Another dancer, Sachin Kashyap details how scarce help has been. “Our union, Cine Dancers Association (CDA), helped, but they don’t have enough funds to support 1,600 people. What about the dancers who’ve to support entire families?” asks Kashyap, adding that, “(Actor) Salman Khan deposited ₹3,500 twice in the accounts of 1,000 people.”
CDA’S brand ambassador, choreographer Saroj Khan reveals that she, too, is facing similar problems. “You don’t get lump sum. This is the film industry; it’s not a mill or office that gives permanent work. You can’t blame the industry,” she says.
HIGH MAINTENANCE LIFESTYLE
Remo D’souza is among the choreographers who’ve decided to extend help. “Situation for these dancers is as bad as it is for the people walking to their villages; they’re daily workers. But their lifestyle is different. They’ve to look good to be able to stand next to actors,” says D’souza.
Choreographer Rahul Shetty shares that dancers, after a point, stop getting work. “A couple of months back, we had saved up for senior dancers, who get fewer shoots and have to survive the entire month on ₹2,000-3,000,” says Shetty, who is “planning a workshop to collect whatever amount possible” to help youth dancers in need.
FUTURE IN LIMBO
As there could be many restrictions on set after the shoots resume, D’souza says it could eventually lead to less jobs for dancers, too. “They dance in a group, and that’s not going to be possible. Producers and everyone have to come together,” he says.