‘Actors don’t get profits, why should we bear the loss?’
She’s straightforward. And Sanaya Irani, despite the fame thanks to TV shows such as Miley Jab Hum Tum, Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon?, stays humble. The 36-year-old, gearing up for her new film, talks about stardom, and more. Excerpts from a chat:
How did stardom affect your life after becoming one of the top actors on TV?
Stardom will never change the person I am, but it made me uneasy when I realised I couldn’t walk into a mall without being noticed. I was never anxious about fame, I’m anxious about good work, which is now happening with my upcoming horror film. I feel every actor should have a backup plan.
There have been reports about you being rude to your co-stars.
As a human being, you have good days and bad days. I’m guessing people who crossed paths with me on my bad days may feel so, but I’m not someone who would throw a tantrum. I’m an honest, a nononsense person. I believe creating a healthy, happy work environment is paramount. What I say is often out of honesty and with no malice.
TV actors working in daily soaps get paid 90 days after the first episode is aired. Did it affect you?
I’ve worked with producers with whom I haven’t faced such problems. I always got my money, maybe late, but I’ve got it. I’m aware of a lot of people who faced this problem. The 90day plans aren’t feasible. A 3045 day period is still understandable.
Why do actors have to bear the brunt in this?
That’s what! The producers being the sole proprietors mean they would incur profits and losses. I, as an actor, chose to be working with a salary and we don’t get a part of the profits. Then why is it that we’ve to bear the losses with them? That’s unfair. The cast and crew work so hard for
12 hours or even more. So we deserve to be paid, irrespective of losses. We wouldn’t leave them in a lurch so why should they leave us asking for our own money? That being said, this isn’t the case with all producers out there.