Shreya Mukherjee (HINDUSTAN TIMES; May 18, 2020)

People see us smiling on screen and think we lead fabulous lives, but that’s not always true,” rues TV actor Sonal Vengurlekar, 26, while awaiting dues of over ₹12 lakh for a show she did last year. Not keen to reveal the production house’s name, she has sought help from Cine and TV Artistes’ Association (CINTAA). Her Shastri Sisters co-actor Neelu Kohli, who is also a part of CINTAA, is supporting her. “My mother is a homemaker and father is a heart patient. My earnings run the house — his medicine costs, house EMIs. I’ve to pay rent plus daily needs, too,” she says.

Pointing towards how in the TV industry artistes get paid three months after a show is aired, she says, “For over eight months, I’ve not received my payments. They aren’t responding to my messages and calls, and the last payment of ₹25,000 was received around mid-April. Abhi production house lockdown ka excuse de raha hai. Last I heard, they will pay a good part by June, if their loan gets sanctioned.”

Vengurlekar is touched by the support from unexpected quarters. Her makeup artist Pankaj Gupta offered ₹15,000 to help her, which she even appreciated on social media “My friends have called and fans have written, saying they want to help. Mahesh Pandey, the producer of my upcoming show, also offered help,” she says. Planning to post an open letter about the issue on social media, she says, “Sach bolne mein kaisa dar, kaisi sharm? I wish everyone comes out in the open to fight for what’s right.”