MoU creates a divide in the TV industry; can a mid-way be attained to please both parties?

The ‘divide’ in the views of the Producers and actors owing to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Cine & TV Artistes Association (CINTAA) and the Indian Film and TV Producers’ Council (IFTPC) on 1 May has gotten wider with some strong reactions coming in from both quarters. Actors hold to the ‘denial’ mode while the Producers believe that this development will create a better air to live in, in the industry. So how does the MoU read? The Producer shall designate a minimum of 5 lead actors, actors either male/female who would be central to the programme and would have most appearances and prominence in the show. In special cases, the Producer can designate ‘Additional Lead Actors’ who will get into the clause. The MoU shall govern the wide spectrum of issues pertaining to actors and producers and will bind the 5 or more recognized lead actors with a three years contract during which the actor cannot exit the show. In order to make the shooting ambience smooth, CINTAA will be honouring timelines and schedules keeping in mind the delivery of episodes and cost-effectiveness. The call in-time and out-time of the actor along with the signature of the actor will be captured in the call sheet by the producer on a daily basis. Dishonouring this would mean that the producer shall be entitled to impose penalties and deduct payments to actors. The CINTAA also understands that lead actors who play the key characters are pivotal to the success of a television programme and accordingly agree that actors playing such key characters cannot unilaterally terminate their contracts and leave the show unless agreed in writing by the producer under emergent circumstances. Furthermore, actors shall be paid for pilot episodes irrespective of the show going on air. Also, the actors need not give more than 30 days a month for a schedule. Discipline in terms of payments, daily conveyance along with the annual increments shall be provided to the actor. There are also other and sundry points which can be read at the CINTAA’s official website. We at Tellychakkar.com spoke to few producers and actors to know their POV on the MoU that has been drafted. Karan Mehra, lead of Zee TV’s Pavitra Rishta said, “The in-time guidelines that have been specified is very important, and this is being followed even now by Balaji Telefilms. TV industry usually runs on a high-risk with the need of episodes to be delivered on time. And an actor cannot put to trouble the co-actors and the entire crew for the matter of fact by coming in late. I buy this point because everyone will suffer owing to the late-coming of an individual. To tell you, I am usually late on set, and if there is a policy of money deduction to be followed in case of late reporting, I will surely amend myself and get better. However, I don’t think any actor would follow the three-years contract. If an actor is not allowed to look for greener pastures, that will mean that one is stopping his growth. Of course, this is a business venture, but actors need to be creatively satisfied too. So there has to be a mid-way as signing a three year contract will be absurd.” A Producer on terms of anonymity told us, “This MoU has been signed after a series of talks and discussions. And it is for the general interest of the television industry. It is important to strike a balance in order to create history. Just imagine, if the lead actor of Diya Aur Baati Hum or for the matter of fact, Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah decides to leave the show, will the shows survive? Take a look at the show Qubool Hai now. Just because an actor ill-treated the working norms and decided to quit the show, it is suffering. Take the case of Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon. Only because Barun Sobti got a movie, the show had to shut down. This is ridiculous. Take the case of actors like Smriti Irani and Sakshi Tanwar, they donned the roles of Tulsi and Parvati for seven long years. And that is why we were able to create history. Actors need to know to prioritize their work, and this MoU is to bring about a betterment in the industry.” Vivian Dsena, the lead of Madhubala had this to say, “I certainly disapprove of the three year contract that actors need to sign. In today’s time, do you think all shows will run up to three years? What if a show wraps up before three years? Will the producers give the actors a guarantee of every show running for three years? If such a clause comes into existence, I will certainly not adhere to it. A MoU cannot decide the future of so many actors in the fraternity. It’s very unfair. This clause is very one-sided and is only in favour of the Producers. I will never allow my career to get caught in this. Signing a three-year contract will only stop an actor from growing creatively. As for the working hours, the producers need to understand that we actors have a personal life too. And we need to take care of our health. There are actors who have worked unconditionally to deliver episodes on time for 24 hours a day, putting their lifestyle at stake. There have been many examples of actors falling ill and losing their health owing to the stressful work schedule. We have lost many directors and actors’ lives owing to this stress attack. So overall, a one year contract for actors is fair enough, is what I imply.” Producer Siddharth Malhotra, Cinevistaas Ltd said, “This will be an excellent thing for producers if actors implement this. It would be a win-win situation for both, but the main question is whether the actors will be ready to execute this. There are only hand few of actors who report on time and do their job without hue and cry. All the other actors have made it a habit to come late and put the producer to a problem. Talking about actors quitting shows to look for greener pastures, well, I would say that the thoughts of putting in place this MoU is noble, but nothing will happen till the Producers’ association and Artistes association themselves take some action. I have had a personal experience with an actor who dumped me after shooting nearly 7-8 episodes of a show. And when I took the issue to the Producers’ association, they pointed their fingers at the Artistes’ association and vice versa. Ultimately it was me, the producer who had to suffer. As for me, any contract is just a piece of paper; any actor can leave any show at any given point of time and nothing binds these actors. I will not believe in this MoU till it comes to practice. This is good idealism only when implemented.” Another Producer who did not wish to be named said, “Just go through the MoU, it puts a lot of work pressure on producers too. In no way is this a one-sided contract. Also, actors are reacting without understanding the intricacies involved in the MoU. Don’t go by the cover of the book they say. In the same way, go through the norms carefully. You are here to benefit.” Actress Rashami Desai said, “It is very unfair to tie an actor to a show for three years. Anything can happen in three years. One needs to consider the actors’ perspective too. Are we living in an era where a show is guaranteed to go on for three years? There has to be a mutual agreement, a mid-way where both the parties are happy and satisfied.” Truly, every actor has the right to grow and climb up the ladder of success. No individual will like to abide to a certain set of norms that stunt growth. And the actors are truly at a loss, we can say by agreeing to stick on to the three- years clause. At the same time, we do understand that the producers are at a big loss when such unfortunate events happen wherein an actor forces the shutdown or downfall of a show just because he/she has moved on in life… Certainly not acceptable, this!! Having said this, few thorns in a beautiful flower vase have forced CINTAA to take action. But every individual differs, and thus the treatment too should not be generalized. So how will this MoU work? Guess, a mid-way has to be certainly reached which will satisfy both the parties. The creative growth of the actors and the stress and strain, financial issues of the producers are equally important, and we do hope a mutual deal is struck for the betterment of the TV industry. Let’s hope we see a new dawn indeed!!