In the past two months of the ongoing nationwide lockdown, two television actors namely Manmeet Grewal and Preksha Mehta committed suicide due to financial crisis and depression respectively. With no shoots taking place, work had come to a crashing standstill and this led to the end of budding actors. On the other hand, the cast and crew of the now off-air show Hamari Bahu Silk are yet to receive their payments for the last six months. Talking about the ongoing financial difficulty, non-payments of dues amid the Coronavirus pandemic, Ronit Roy, an acclaimed name in Bollywood and television, recalled his initial days in showbiz. The ace actor, during an interview with a leading daily, told that despite his first film Jaan Tere Naam (1992) was a silver jubilee at the box-office, he was left with no work for six months after its release. Ronit further added that post signing 'trashy work' for three years, offers dried up and he had to sit at home with no money in his pocket. He urged youngsters to not commit suicide as it isn't the appropriate solution.
"My first film was released in 1992 Jaan Tere Naam which was a blockbuster. It was a silver jubilee and silver jubilee of that day means a Rs 100 crore movie of today. My debut film was of that level. 1992 it released and for the next six months, I did not receive a single call. Then I got all kind of trashy work which I did for three years and around 96 all the work dried up. For four years I was sitting at home. I had a small car, but I had no money for petrol. I would walk up to my mother's house for a meal as I did not have money even after being in a silver jubilee film. I did not kill myself. I am not passing judgement on anybody. Everyone at some point in life, everyone faces a financial crisis. I feel if you are facing a financial crisis then killing yourself is not a solution. I don't see any sense in taking your life because that can't be a solution," Ronit told.
.jpg)
Stating the pros and cons of the industry, Ronit said that production houses should ensure payments are released on time so that a person doesn't have to face extreme financial difficulty. Citing his example, the Kasautii Zindagii Kay actor told that he himself hasn't earned anything since January. Ronit, who is also running a business, added that he is making sure that his employees are paid on time.
"When you wanted to be a star, when you got the role, you read the contract and signed on the 90-days payment rule. Then it is nobody's fault. If you didn't agree with the terms you should have said no then itself. Having said that, I also feel we are going through such a situation, where whoever is the principal, the channel or the production house, they need to understand that these people belong to their team. During this time everyone's work is stopped and they have to somehow arrange money to meet their daily expenses. Don't give them extra money, but at least pay them what they are owed. Because everyone right now is under extreme emotional, mental and physical stress because of the lockdown. So jinka paisa banta hai unko toh milna chahiye. Personally, I haven't made money since January. I have a small business which was running, and is now shut since March. Whatever I have, I am selling things to support about 100 families that I am responsible for. I am not a very rich man, but I am doing it. So, these Production houses and channels who have these big, lavish offices which are visible from 2 Kms away from a highway, they need to do something. They have to take care of the people on the ground. At a time like this if they don't take care of the actors then it's not fair. You have to pay them after 90 days, but they need now, give it to them now. They can't stay hungry. It's on both sides," Ronit added.
(Source: Times Of India)
.jpg)
.jpg)
