Zaan Khan leads protest outside Hamari Bahu Silk producer's residence, says 'we’re yet to get a definite response'

By Tanmayi Savadi

on September 08, 2020

Zaan Khan and the team of the now-off air show Hamari Bahu Silk stepped out on the streets once again to protest against the non-payment of dues. The cast and crew of the show, for nearly a year now, haven't been paid their remuneration. Talking to a leading daily about their struggle to receive their hard-earned money, Zaan told that the delay isn't due to the Coronavirus pandemic as Hamari Bahu Silk ended in November 2019. he further added that there is no response from cine bodies like CINTAA and IFTPC who have been following up on the case for several months now. Zaan said that the police isn't registering an FIR stating it to be a civil matter.

"It’s not as if the coronavirus-triggered lockdown brought the show to a halt. It ended in November 2019, so I don’t understand why they have yet to settle our dues. There’s no resolution in sight even though CINTAA (Cine & Television Artistes Association) and IFTPC (Indian Film & Television Producers Council) have been following up on this for months now. JD Majethia, chairman of the TV division of IFTPC, told us that they’re on it, but we’re yet to get a definite response. The police refused to register an FIR saying it’s a civil matter. We maintain it’s a criminal offence since the cheques issued to us have bounced," Zaan told.

Zaan and the team, on Saturday, protested outside one of the producers Jyoti Gupta's residence. Speaking about the protest, Jyoti said, "They know that the matter is now being handled by the producers’ association, IFTPC, in consultation with channel authorities. The Federation (FWICE—Federation of Western India Cine Employees) is also aware and JD Majethia is personally looking into it. A dharna is unethical given that these bodies are looking to resolve the issue."

Aparna Bhosle, Business Head, Zee TV, reacted to the controversy and issued a statement saying, "It is deeply unfortunate that the cast and crew have’t received their due remuneration. Zee TV is more than willing to release the payment. The crux of the matter lies in an ongoing dispute amongst the co-producers of the show and their financers, which has not been amicably resolved, nor have they come back to us with a proposal for us to be able to release the payments. We’re evaluating all options including engaging with trade associations to come to a resolution of the matter expeditiously."

(Source: Mumbai Mirror)