MUMBAI : Rupesh Sonar, who has been in the industry for almost 20 years now as a casting director and artist manager, says the casting industry has a lot of competition, but it’s in every field in the industry.
He said, “There is a lot of competition, and it's not just in our field but in every field. Acting, producing, directing—there's a constant race for TRPs. I believe competition is important because it adds a sense of fun to the work environment. It pushes everyone to do their best and continuously improve.”
What about payment disparities? “Every actor has a payment, it's not fixed, there's no tag on it. How much an actor will be paid depends on their experience and caliber, and accordingly, they will receive compensation. Pricing depends on the actor's contract and the situation, based on their contribution and experience in the industry. However, there are issues arising where people are not getting paid, and something needs to be done about it,” he said.
“Broadcasters and producers need to collaborate to ensure that shows are adequately funded. Only producers who are capable of paying their staff should be allowed to produce. Nowadays, it seems like everyone is trying their hand at producing, but this trend shouldn't continue unchecked. In my situation, fees often get delayed for quite some time, indicating that producers are not fulfilling their payment obligations. This problem isn't confined to established producers; many newcomers also fail to pay on time,” he added.
He believes timely payment is crucial, and delays of up to ninety days are unacceptable. “Some producers openly cite a lack of funds from the channels as an excuse for non-payment. This situation persists not just for ninety days but often extends to a hundred or even a hundred and twenty days. Something must be done to address this issue and bring it to light,” he said.
“People deserve to be paid promptly; it's a matter of their credibility. Until payment is received, actors often have to invest their own money in travel and other expenses. Their investment is substantial, similar to that of producers. Actors and technicians put in their own resources during these ninety days. Therefore, they deserve timely payment for their contributions. I urge action to rectify this situation,” he added.
As for the changes that he would like to see in the industry, he said, “It’s going well, it's happening, it's good. Digital India has already happened, and everyone has gone digital, making it easier for people to source talent. Platforms like Instagram have become avenues for discovering new talents. The pattern of casting is getting better now.”
Add new comment