Showing posts with label Amit Bahl. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Amit Bahl. Show all posts
Taarak Mehta, Anupamaa controversy: Decoding actors' silence and the role of CINTAA, FWICE
10:03 AM
Many actors don’t lodge complaints to avoid ruffling feathers with makers, which regulatory bodies say leaves them with hardly any scope to take action
Syeda Eba Fatima (HINDUSTAN TIMES; June 19, 2023)
Of late, actors from TV shows Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah (TMKOC) and Anupamaa have spoken up about the toxic work culture and harassment on set. This raises a pertinent question: Why are such serious issues not spoken about despite the presence of regulatory bodies like Cine & TV Artistes’ Association (CINTAA) and Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE)?
FWICE president Birendra Nath Tiwari says, “The organization can take strict action against the offender or stop the shoot temporarily, but we can’t do anything unless victims come out and register an official complaint. Actors don’t want to spoil their equation with the production houses. Hence, they don’t talk about it openly.”
NO TRUST IN CINTAA
Given that CINTAA is a union that largely comprises actors, many believe it’s highly unlikely that they’d take strict action. “Jo CINTAA mein baithe hain, unhe bhi toh kaam chahiye producers se. I’ve heard that CINTAA comes, takes money [from the producers] and ignores the matter,” says Control Room actor Nishant Singh Malkani, who recalls being told by CINTAA members to do what the producers were saying.
Actor Jennifer Mistry Bansiwal, who recently accused TMKOC producer Asit Kumarr Modi of sexual harassment, says, “Every time a CINTAA representative had to visit the set, which is usually a surprise visit, Asit would know about it beforehand and everything would be put into place. So, when we know that producers had their way of dealing with CINTAA, why would we go to them?”
CINTAA HITS BACK
CINTAA general secretary Amit Bahl says, “We have an outrage committee, a care committee and a dispute-settlement committee. The moment we get any complaint regarding abuse, we act instantly. CINTAA doesn’t charge a single penny for any case.”
On actors’ claims about CINTAA members taking bribe, Bahl adds, “We disaffiliated CINTAA from the federation six years ago, after we found out that there were corrupt people in the union.”
HERE’S A WAY OUT
While some actors stress on the need of a counsellor on set to tackle such issues, producer J D Majethia says that after the #MeToo movement, every production house was told to make a committee and immediately report any such mishap, not only regarding harassment, but also toxicity on the set. “But, in the absence of the committee, if any unpleasant incident happens and the producer isn’t taking any action, the victim should inform the channel and CINTAA,” he says.
WHY DO ACTORS STAY MUM?
Actor Monika Bhadoriya, who called out the production team of TMKOC, says she didn’t know there was a body that helps with such issues: “I thought CINTAA only helps with payment-related issues. Also, people keep quiet to not harm their careers.”
TMKOC actor Priya Ahuja feels going to CINTAA would mean “turning producers into your enemies”. Echoing similar thoughts, Malkani adds that actors choose to stay mum as they don’t want to be “tagged troublemakers”.
I am sorry but not scared-Kiku Sharda
3:29 PM
Kiku Sharda maintains that he is a non-controversial entertainer and asserts that he won’t stop making others laugh
PS: Without offending religious sentiments, of course
Subhash K Jha (DNA; January 17, 2016)
Kiku Sharda, the comic who appears as Palak (in drag)
on Comedy Nights With Kapil, has been to hell and back. On the night of
January 13, he was arrested by the Haryana Police, while he was shooting
in Mumbai. The charge? Allegedly hurting the religious sentiments of a
godman’s followers on a different show on a different channel.
Now safe and at home, Kiku says, “I’ve always been a non-controversial entertainer. I don’t know how or why this happened. But it’s not as if I’ll stop laughing or stop raising laughs. I am sorry but not scared. This one incident has not soured my relationship with comedy. But it has made me question my own beliefs. I’ve never insulted anyone in my life. No one has the right to hurt anyone’s religious sentiments.”
Kiku pleads innocence about the offended godman’s reach and following and holds the writers (of the special, Jashn-e-Ummeed) and the channel (Zee) responsible. “I had no idea of how important he was to his followers and the work he did. As usual, I was a given a get-up and my lines by the writers. I just went on stage and performed what was given to me. Little did I know that it would snowball into such a controversy.”
Kiku is grateful to Zee for coming forward with all legal help after the arrest and bail, but he feels, “There was a long gap between the time when the show was held and my arrest. Legal measures could have been taken to avert this situation. Still, I am grateful to the channel for coming forward with all the help possible.”
Kiku says he has received overwhelming support from all quarters. “The entertainment industry has been very supportive. Rishi Kapoorji, Farah Khanji, Sonakshi Sinha, Alia Bhatt… they’ve all spoken up in my defence.”
He adds, “There were around 800 people there — restless and aggressive — anything could’ve happened. That’s when the full impact of the trouble that I was in, hit me. I have to thank the Haryana police for protecting me from harm. They escorted me inside (the police station) by hand and made sure I wasn’t harmed.”
Kiku has also received support from CINTAA (Cine & Television Artistes Association): “I got a call from their chairperson Amit Bahl. We need to sit down and chalk out legal safety measures for all of us.”
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