Nia says it’s heartbreaking that actors aren’t getting paid
After TV actor, Manmeet Grewal committed suicide on May 15 due to financial stress and lack of work, Nia Sharma spoke up about the issues actors face regarding payments in an Instagram post.
She says that producers have bigger risks but requests them to clear payments of actors who are struggling including six of her friends, some of whose cases are pending with Cine and TV
Artistes’ Association (CINTAA).
“We often work for 16 to 22 hours a day, and we deserve better. So much is being talked about other issues, but there’s not a word about those struggling in the TV industry. Forget the 90 day rule for payment, I know of new actors who haven’t been paid for their year old work. It is heartbreaking,” she says, adding, “The lockdown is for the safety of everyone but now, the situation has taken a turn for worse. I know of actors who
have rents and EMIs, but are unable to pay them.” Sounding disturbed, the actor says, “If I start taking names of those struggling because of pending dues, the list will go on. Paying a few lakhs may take time, but I know an actor who has been struggling for months to get ₹70,000 payment. Every time he visits the producer’s office, he’s given another date.”
Sharma has made peace with not having shot for two months, says that it feels “trivial and selfish” in the light of the current situation, to talk about resuming shoots. “There are many poorly faring serials that have been shut overnight. We are nowhere close to shooting but when we do, there will be a huge struggle to get good ratings,” she says.
Sharma further talks about threats that some of the actors get from production houses. “A lot of times, actors are told that if they talk about these things in public, or to CINTAA, they will not get work or paid. This is why many keep mum and cry silently. It would take any of these people a few seconds to take a drastic step,” says the 29year-old.