Bigg Boss 14 winner Rubina Dilaik, even before winning the coveted trophy was a household name in the television industry. However, there was a time when she had to chase her producers for nine months over unpaid dues. It was for her debut TV show Chotti Bahu.

Speaking about the non-payment of dues, Rubina had told an online portal in 2019, “I even played double roles in harsh conditions, yet I wasn’t paid my dues for the last three months, which were in lakhs. For nine months, I pleaded for my money, went to the actors association for help, but no one cared or helped apart from (making) big fancy promises. I had to sell off my house and property because I couldn’t pay off my EMIs. After crying my heart out, the production house finally called me up for negotiation."

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She further added, “Well, this trend (of payment after 90 days) was set long before I got into the industry, and I had to comply because I was fresh off the boat. Later, with understanding of the work ethics and legal knowledge, I realised that almost 90% of the actors, including me, sign one-sided contracts, favouring the production house. Working for over 12 hours, 30 days a month and being paid after 90 days, and in many cases even more than that, isn’t only unethical but is against working laws.”

The issue of non-payment and late payment to TV actors and technicians was brought to the fore last year when all shooting stopped due to the coronavirus lockdown. Several celebs and technicians took up the matter and Cine and TV Artists' Association (CINTAA) also took active measures to ensure that the payments are made in time. However, there were cases where the producers did not pay the artistes and technicians. During the lockdown many Bollywood veterans and hotshots poured in monetary help to aid the actors and technicians.

(Source: HT)