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The discussion around exploitation of actors and entourage cost of stars hasn’t ended, nor has there been any changes to solve the issue. Recently, veteran actor Rajit Kapur shared the plight of actors, who are underpaid, not paid and are even working for free for sake of an opportunity. The actor shed light on the lack of a system in the film industry and people to fight for actors’ right.
In an interview with Unfiltered by Samdish, Rajit claimed the lack of a system is the biggest reason behind the pay disparity. He said, “There is no system in place. The casting agencies came only five years ago. Earlier, directors and assistant directors would call for actors who would be sitting there, waiting from three days. You just choose and select. There’s no person who is ready to fight for an actor’s money. Even today there is exploitation. Even if you deserve Rs 20,000, they will say, ‘If you wanna do this, do it for Rs 10,000. Otherwise there are lot of people waiting for one opportunity.’ It happens till date.”
When asked if with the introduction of casting agencies things have gotten any better for the actors, Rajit Kapur quickly replied, “You think its professional now, because its packaged like that, but it is not. In corporate offices, employees have to be paid their salaries within 7 days or maximum 15 days. But actors are not paid for up to 90 days. What do they do? If you will stand up against a producer, there is a possibility of you not getting any work. That exploitation still exists.”
He added, “We have the discussion in the open that ‘we are paying stars 50% of the film’s budget’ and for your supporting cast, ‘sir, we don’t have money.’ I have heard this line, so I was like, ‘Thank you, when you have the money, call me. Don’t waste my time.’ I have done that.”
The actor even shared that with the introduction of OTT, there surely has been an increase in opportunities, but the exploitation remains the same.
He said, “OTT has definitely increased opportunities, but it necessarily doesn’t mean that the exploitation doesn’t exist. They are still paying a bomb to their foreign technicians, but not to actors. Some actors work for free, just because they are getting an opportunity.”
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