TV Debate: Should actors be exclusive for their shows?
Shilpa Shinde’s open war against Benaifer Kohli, the producer of her television show Bhabi Ji Ghar Par Hai, has revived an age-old issue: the exclusivity of small-sreen actors.
Shilpa Shinde’s open war against Benaifer Kohli, the producer of her television show Bhabi Ji Ghar Par Hai, has revived an age-old issue: the exclusivity of small-sreen actors.
Over the past few days, SpotboyE has been regularly updating you about the Shilpa-Benaifer clash, which started when the actress, who plays Angoori in Bhabhi... was tempted by Kapil Sharma’s upcoming comedy show on a rival channel. Benaifer opposed the move, saying Shilpa had signed an exclusivity contract with &TV and her show (Bhabi Ji... producer counter-attacks Shilpa Shinde, March 15).
Image Source: mozee
“Shilpa has been paid money in advance for this month (March); she should at least respect that. Or else, Kapil should have spoken to me. Didn’t he approach Shilpa after seeing her on my show?”asks the producer.
Image Source: facebook/ShilpaShindeOfficial
On her part, despite repeated orders from the Cine and TV Artistes Association (CINTAA), Shilpa has stuck to her ground and stopped reporting for shoots (No Shilpa Shinde on Bhabi Ji... sets despite CINTAA’s order, March 21), (Shilpa Shinde defies CINTAA order...AGAIN!, March 23).
About her next step, Benaifer says, “The dispute redressal committee of CINTAA has ordered her to report to work till the contract expires in February 2017. I’ve emailed her and texted on her phone; I will do everything as per the contract. If she doesn’t fall in line, then we’ll have to drag matters to the court. Everything is in black and white.”
Actually, the Shilpa-Benaifer jhagda is not new. The exclusivity clause in TV actors’ contracts has been creating friction between them and the producers for long now.
Giaa Manek, who played Gopi Bahu in Rashmi Sharma’s Saath Nibhaana Saathiya, had invited the makers’ ire after she participated in dance reality show Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa on a rival channel. After plenty of mudslinging, she was replaced by Devoleena Bhattacharjee who continues to be on the show.
Image Source: stylenstreets & mazale
There are more examples. Even biggies like Smriti Irani, Rajeev Khandelwal, Vivian D'Sena, Amar Upadhyay and Rashmi Desai have quit shows over differences with their producers.
Image Source: indicine & imagenes
Pulkit Samrat had dragged Ekta Kapoor to court over his three-year contract with Balaji Telefilms while working on Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. Pulkit’s contention was that his time on the show was not being utilised well. Guess what, he won!
Image Source: vk & roposo
However, the Shilpa-Benaifer clash has united the producers in a big way. Many, including Ekta, Shrishti Behl Arya, Siddharth P Malhotra, Ashvini Yardi and Rajan Shahi have come forward, lending Benaifer support (Ekta Kapoor comes out in support of Bhabi Ji… producer, March 20).
Says Rajan, the producer of Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai: “Producers, broadcasters and writers put in effort, energy and money to build a character. Actors also work hard, but they should know that popularity also brings in more responsibility. If an actor leaves a show mid-way, the audience gets distracted since they have associated a particular face with a character. I have seen lead actors holding a team to ransom, and producers kneeling before them. Actors want too much too soon these days, which wasn’t the case with the older lot. Exclusivity clause helps the producer to deal with such actors.”
Ashvini, a former programming champion from Colors, and a leading TV producer today, says: “In my two-and-a-half-decade-long career, I’ve seen actors demand 200 per cent hikes in their remuneration. It’s high time actors respected the effort that goes into making them household names. Today, producers stand united against such actors with a legal document in their hands.” She adds, “If an actor confides in us that he/she is bored with their character, we happily let them go. There’s always a way of making things work, but ego should be kept aside.”
Image Source: veethi
If you thought stars are short-changed due to their exclusivity, think again. A producer, on the condition of anonymity, says actors with exclusivity clauses in their contracts are paid between Rs 70,000 and Rs 5 lakh per day, depending on their stature.
Not all actors sign exclusivity contracts, though. Says Ronit Roy: “I didn’t have a contract for the longest time for Adalat, but I didn’t leave it despite having offers like Homeland and a film with Catherine Bigelow.”
Image Source: dhwani
Rajeev Khandelwal, who was recently seen on Reporters, a finite series, says actors must not see exclusivity clauses as their enemies. “If someone wants to benefit from it, he or she can. And no matter what happens, one must respect the document signed before taking on work. I have had to sacrifice plum assignments because I was contractually bound on a project that didn’t even start. But I do think the contracts are more producer-friendly and they could become a little more balanced,” he says.
Image Source: jollyhoo & indiaeveryday
Amar Upadhyay, who plays the villain on Saath Nibhana Saathiya, has a different take on the matter. He says, “An exclusivity clause cannot become a hathiyaar in the hands of a producer to be used against an artiste. You can’t block his or her time and not use it. A TV actor has to make every day count. He has to use his time through the month to clock in money. Either he should be paid for the full duration or be allowed to work elsewhere. That said, both parties in a contract have to honour its clauses. The one who dishonours is guilty!”
Thumbnail Image Source: vishwagujarat & indiaforums
Over the past few days, SpotboyE has been regularly updating you about the Shilpa-Benaifer clash, which started when the actress, who plays Angoori in Bhabhi... was tempted by Kapil Sharma’s upcoming comedy show on a rival channel. Benaifer opposed the move, saying Shilpa had signed an exclusivity contract with &TV and her show (Bhabi Ji... producer counter-attacks Shilpa Shinde, March 15).
Image Source: mozee
“Shilpa has been paid money in advance for this month (March); she should at least respect that. Or else, Kapil should have spoken to me. Didn’t he approach Shilpa after seeing her on my show?”asks the producer.
Image Source: facebook/ShilpaShindeOfficial
On her part, despite repeated orders from the Cine and TV Artistes Association (CINTAA), Shilpa has stuck to her ground and stopped reporting for shoots (No Shilpa Shinde on Bhabi Ji... sets despite CINTAA’s order, March 21), (Shilpa Shinde defies CINTAA order...AGAIN!, March 23).
About her next step, Benaifer says, “The dispute redressal committee of CINTAA has ordered her to report to work till the contract expires in February 2017. I’ve emailed her and texted on her phone; I will do everything as per the contract. If she doesn’t fall in line, then we’ll have to drag matters to the court. Everything is in black and white.”
Actually, the Shilpa-Benaifer jhagda is not new. The exclusivity clause in TV actors’ contracts has been creating friction between them and the producers for long now.
Giaa Manek, who played Gopi Bahu in Rashmi Sharma’s Saath Nibhaana Saathiya, had invited the makers’ ire after she participated in dance reality show Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa on a rival channel. After plenty of mudslinging, she was replaced by Devoleena Bhattacharjee who continues to be on the show.
Image Source: stylenstreets & mazale
There are more examples. Even biggies like Smriti Irani, Rajeev Khandelwal, Vivian D'Sena, Amar Upadhyay and Rashmi Desai have quit shows over differences with their producers.
Image Source: indicine & imagenes
Pulkit Samrat had dragged Ekta Kapoor to court over his three-year contract with Balaji Telefilms while working on Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. Pulkit’s contention was that his time on the show was not being utilised well. Guess what, he won!
Image Source: vk & roposo
However, the Shilpa-Benaifer clash has united the producers in a big way. Many, including Ekta, Shrishti Behl Arya, Siddharth P Malhotra, Ashvini Yardi and Rajan Shahi have come forward, lending Benaifer support (Ekta Kapoor comes out in support of Bhabi Ji… producer, March 20).
Says Rajan, the producer of Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai: “Producers, broadcasters and writers put in effort, energy and money to build a character. Actors also work hard, but they should know that popularity also brings in more responsibility. If an actor leaves a show mid-way, the audience gets distracted since they have associated a particular face with a character. I have seen lead actors holding a team to ransom, and producers kneeling before them. Actors want too much too soon these days, which wasn’t the case with the older lot. Exclusivity clause helps the producer to deal with such actors.”
Ashvini, a former programming champion from Colors, and a leading TV producer today, says: “In my two-and-a-half-decade-long career, I’ve seen actors demand 200 per cent hikes in their remuneration. It’s high time actors respected the effort that goes into making them household names. Today, producers stand united against such actors with a legal document in their hands.” She adds, “If an actor confides in us that he/she is bored with their character, we happily let them go. There’s always a way of making things work, but ego should be kept aside.”
Image Source: veethi
If you thought stars are short-changed due to their exclusivity, think again. A producer, on the condition of anonymity, says actors with exclusivity clauses in their contracts are paid between Rs 70,000 and Rs 5 lakh per day, depending on their stature.
Not all actors sign exclusivity contracts, though. Says Ronit Roy: “I didn’t have a contract for the longest time for Adalat, but I didn’t leave it despite having offers like Homeland and a film with Catherine Bigelow.”
Image Source: dhwani
Rajeev Khandelwal, who was recently seen on Reporters, a finite series, says actors must not see exclusivity clauses as their enemies. “If someone wants to benefit from it, he or she can. And no matter what happens, one must respect the document signed before taking on work. I have had to sacrifice plum assignments because I was contractually bound on a project that didn’t even start. But I do think the contracts are more producer-friendly and they could become a little more balanced,” he says.
Image Source: jollyhoo & indiaeveryday
Amar Upadhyay, who plays the villain on Saath Nibhana Saathiya, has a different take on the matter. He says, “An exclusivity clause cannot become a hathiyaar in the hands of a producer to be used against an artiste. You can’t block his or her time and not use it. A TV actor has to make every day count. He has to use his time through the month to clock in money. Either he should be paid for the full duration or be allowed to work elsewhere. That said, both parties in a contract have to honour its clauses. The one who dishonours is guilty!”
Thumbnail Image Source: vishwagujarat & indiaforums
