Be it the number of working hours in a day, focus on nutritious meals or their education getting affected — the debate around the well-being of child artistes on set has been going on for a while. Now, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights is set to issue guidelines to protect young performers on set — artistes under 18 — from exploitation. These guidelines will be applicable to child artistes in films, web shows, reality shows and TV.

“Even parents have started using children as factories. There’s no cap on working hours for kids, sometimes they shoot for 10-12 hours. They are kept hungry for long because the moment they eat, they will go to sleep. There are instances when some people poke infants to make them cry,” says actor Vani Tripathi Tikoo, a part of the committee drafting the new guidelines.

She adds, “I know of cases, where child actors’ parents have quit their own employment and have just become managers, earning millions.”

Birendra Nath Tiwari, president, Federation of Western Indian Cine Employees, says there are “instances where guardians make their kid work for extra hours”. He adds, “There is no focus on their health and education. Right now, they are made to work for eight hours with no rest.”

J D Majethia, chairman, TV division of the Indian Film and TV Producers Council, adds, “I think parents, kids’ schools and the makers need to work together to find a way so that we can develop the skill of the kids.”

No child shall be allowed to work for more than five hours a day.

Makers to ensure facilities for physical and mental health, including timely nutritional diet of the child.

One person to be appointed for a maximum of five children by the makers to look after them.

At least 20% of the child’s income to be directly deposited in a fixed deposit account in a nationalized bank in the name of the child artiste.

Producers try to ensure a smooth ride, but parents have to pay attention to their kids’ future.

Sometimes, when we are shooting with famous actors, the crew is busy around the celebs and we often get neglected. Parents must be allowed on set for supervision.