By Mewati Sitaram
A delegation of prominent Bollywood and TV artists, along with members of the Cine & TV Artists Association (CINTTA), recently met Maharashtra’s State Labour Minister Akash Pandurang Fundkar, accompanied by Sanjay Pandey, President of BJP Uttar Bhartiya Morcha.
The meeting, which took place at Mantralaya, focused on addressing the critical issues faced by small artists in the film and television industries. During the discussion, a memorandum was submitted to Minister Fundkar, highlighting the various challenges these artists encounter on a daily basis.
Actor Manoj Joshi took the opportunity to voice the financial hardships experienced by small artists, emphasizing that many are not paid on time, leading to severe financial strain. In addition to delayed payments, these artists often work more than 12 to 14 hours a day, and the toll of long working hours is becoming unsustainable for many. Joshi also brought attention to transportation issues, as many studios are located far from the artists’ homes, yet they receive no travel allowance or fare reimbursement. Moreover, a significant portion of their modest earnings, around 30%, is deducted in the form of commissions and various charges, further adding to their financial struggles.
The delegation, which included notable figures such as Johnny Lever, Upasana Singh, Vindu Dara Singh, and Preeti Sapru, along with CINTTA officials, expressed their concerns to Minister Fundkar. After listening to their grievances, Fundkar assured the delegation that the government would carefully consider their demands and work towards resolving the issues as soon as possible.
Sanjay Pandey, President of BJP Uttar Bhartiya Morcha, stated, “The issues faced by small artists in the film and television industry have been neglected for a long time. I have taken the initiative to support them and accompanied them to meet Labour Minister Shri Akash Fundkar. The Minister was receptive and optimistic about resolving their long-standing difficulties as soon as possible. He assured the CINTTA delegates that he would make every effort to address their concerns promptly.”
Minister Shri Fundkar assured the CINTTA delegation that the government would give careful consideration to their demands and work towards resolving them at the earliest.
Editor in Chief : Mewati SItaram
