Exclusive – Barrister Babu's Akshita Arora: CINTAA gave Rs 2000 twice in two months, but how does one survive in this meager amount?

Television actress, Akshita Arora (53) has spent more than 20 years in the entertainment industry. While there are news about actors committing suicide due to financial crisis, ETimes TV contacted the Barrister Babu actress to understand the plight of the daily wage actors and how they are struggling to make ends meet. Akshita Arora, who has worked in films of several languages and TV shows like Kamaal Hai Dhamaal Hai, Ikyaavan, Pyaar Ke Papad and many others, reveals that the 90 days payment structure should be scrapped and the TV industry should go back to those good old days, where they would even receive conveyance for their travel. (By: Gayatri Nirmal)

"I remember, I received Rs 1500 in cash after my shoot for Kamaal Hai Dhamaal Hai shot in Filmcity," said the veteran actress. For the unversed, she plays the role of Saudamini's grandmother in Barrister Babu. Read more about the hassles the actor goes through. (Photo: Facebook)

It's very sad to hear such news. He definitely did not do the right thing. He could have asked for help from somebody or could have shared his grievances with a friend. Maybe, they could come up with some or the other solution for him. CINTAA and many other organisations are coming forward and helping people. Suicide is not the solution to any problem. He has gone but his family is suffering in pain now. What about them? What will his wife do? He should have thought about it. (Photo: Facebook)

The Government is helping the migrants by starting buses, trains for them to reach their respective destinations. Many actors have also offered a helping hand. What I have seen in the past 20 years of my career is that the film industry has not necessarily benefited from the Government. CINTAA and a few other organisations are taking care of the actors. I have received Rs 2,000 twice from CINTAA within two months but what do you get in Rs 2000 in today's times and for how many months will this entertainment body keep transferring money to several actors like me? (Photo: Facebook)

I've spent nearly 20-21 years in the film industry here in Mumbai. I am from Lucknow, and before coming here to the city of dreams, I worked on shows for Doordarshan back there and the payment structures were quite different then. When I started working in Mumbai, people would say that the entertainment industry is quite bad but I often kept rebelling that this is a great industry where you get your payment and conveyance on the spot but things have changed now. I am an independent single mother and have raised four kids by working in this industry itself. From 2007-08 the trend of payment changed. 'Hamaare kaam ka paseena sookhne se pehle hi humein hamare haq ke paise mil jaate the.' (Even before the sweat of our hard work could dry up, our payments were made). And, now, we receive the payment after 90 days of the show goes on air. We start shooting for the show months ago before it goes on air, and in that case, we are stranded not for three months but many more months for our righteous money. How are we going to manage our house then? When I did Trijata's character in Ramayan in 2008, the trend of being paid after 90 days started for me. How I have survived those days is something that only I understand.(Photo: Facebook)

I sincerely want those good old days of the television world to return. I would urge the producers and production houses to hear the actors out, understand the plight of the actors and technicians. Actors, maybe, somehow might sail the river of blood but what about the technicians? It's difficult for them to survive 4-5 months without money. (Photo: Facebook)

No, I haven't received anything yet. In fact, a few days ago, I got a call from our EP (Executive Producer) and they said that talks are on about making the payments in the month of June. They should have actually given the money now thinking that lockdown is going on and actors, too, are in dire need of money. Even the producers are saying that they haven't received money from the channel yet. What is bothering and hurting me is that the makers of Barrister Babu have said that hereon, whatever shoot will be done, 30 or 25 percent of the payment would be deducted. Firstly, actors don't get paid much and from that too they are talking about deduction.(Photo: Facebook)

They lock you for 15 days in a month but on which days would you be called that isn't decided. They could call you on any day. But despite locking you for 15 days, we are just called for 5-6 days for the shoot and since we are bound by the contract, we can't do any other shows to make ends meet. The struggle goes on. (Photo: Facebook)

I'd done a show, Jai Maa Vindhyavasini in 2012 where I played the character of 'daadi' (grandmother) in it. The show would air on Big Magic and they had three partners, Leora Sinha, Rajesh Beri, who is a writer and Girdhar Sharma. The show was doing exceptionally well and after 7 months, they suddenly said that we aren't doing this show and we are going to give it to the channel. I was one of the first, who stood by these partners and said that you continue the shoot, do not give it to the channel, we are there to support you'll. Despite this, they cheated on us and did not make our payments. We have been fighting for it in the court since 2013, knocked CINTAA and federation's door but everything went in vain. The channel also did not hear us and everyone kept ignoring about our payments. We have been fighting the case since 2013 and It's 2020 now but our dues are still pending. I'd also written a letter to the Prime Minister but did not hear anything from there too.These producers owe me Rs. 2,76,000 for the show. (Photo: Facebook)

I have given up. I did try to contact Leora Sinha but the tonality in which she responded was demeaning. She said, 'Aapko jo ukhaadna hai ukhaad lijiye, mai aapko payment nahin doongi.' (Do whatever you can but I will not make your payment). I have all the records of the messages exchanged between us. (Photo: Facebook)

The owner keeps calling for rent. Despite the three month relief period, what about the fourth month? How are we going to bear the expenses of three months at once? There's no way but wait for our payments and then pay or rent, EMIs and bills. (Photo: Facebook)

Yes. Today, a 25-year-old actor does not shy away from playing the role of a mother and 30-35 old actor essays grandmother's role. Earlier, people would live in originality that a grandmom's role should be essayed by somebody who is between the age bracket of 50-55 years only. In today's era, people want to see black hair, young and maintained 'daadi'. Then who is going to call us for roles and what else can we do? That's the reason, we have no work at all. A few people, who believe in originality and talent, call us and that's how we get a little bit work. (Photo: Facebook)

If the industry starts then actors like us will be able to make ends meet and people won't end up committing suicides. If the industry doesn't resume in the coming two-three months, I fear what will actors do? CINTAA and the producers have to formulate certain strict guidelines and resume the industry. (Photo: Facebook)