Anupriya Goenka: They only wanted me to have a picture with the CEO of Ullu to put on media-net in TIMES

Recently, there were media reports about actress Anupriya Goenka's unprofessional behaviour during the promotions of her web-series Panchali that streamed on Ullu App. There were allegations that the actress didn't give her time for media interviews and promotions, even though it was in the contract and thus breaking the clauses in the contract. Also Due to this unprofessional behaviour by Anupriya, the OTT platform had to delay Panchali's release a number of times causing constant rescheduling and postponing. 

The matter was taken to CINTAA where Amit Behl, Sr. Joint Secretary, CINTAA’s Jt. Dispute Committee, said, “Yes, the producers did come to us. We asked them to approach the association. They did and got in touch with us. We wanted to have a joint meeting of the actor, the producer and the OTT platform CEO, but it is rather unfortunate that Anupriya Goenka has still not given a time for the meeting.”

India Forums got in touch with Anupriya who told us, "The whole thing has been a case of grave miscommunication and misrepresentation of facts to me, and have broken it down pointwise to clear my stand. I was approached by Dream Images, the production house for a short film called Bhoomi later titled Panchali, I agreed to do it,  as it was clearly communicated to me,  that it was to be a 45-minute short film meant for film festivals and to be released on any of the usual OTT platforms, as a short film. Was told that the OTT platform was not finalized at the time of signing. On the understanding, it was a short film my monies and fees were discussed and fixed accordingly. Hence a gross manipulation on their part as later I found out that not only was the said OTT platform was on board right from the beginning but it had commissioned the project and also it was always meant to be a 128 minute /5 part web series."

"I didn't even know of the said platform's existence and this association was completely hidden from me. The first three intimate scenes were to be shot in silhouette and dim light and no scene of any intimate nature were to extend beyond 30 seconds each. During the shoot of the first 3 scenes, as it was fully lit, I was once again reassured that in the post production the scenes would be dimmed and on edit, the scenes wouldn’t extend beyond what discussed.  Again to realize that once again I was manipulated and as each scene was released for a duration of 3 to 4 minutes in bright light. On the quote on that we did have a meeting with CINTAA, my manager had represented me at the meeting, as I was on shoot and the minutes of the meeting are on record and has been signed by both parties, while I personally was in touch with Mr Sushant Singh (CINTAA Head) via text and phone," added Anupriya.

She further continued, "Due to such misrepresentations, their lies and manipulations happening from the start of the project, I felt let down and admit did not want to promote the project at all, but after having a talk with Mr Sushant Singh (CINTAA HEAD), I agreed to go promote the series. My PR team, in fact even followed up with their  PR team for PR strategy, dates, constantly. Asked for details of interviews they planned with journalists but nothing was ever shared with us. They only wanted me to have a picture with the CEO of Ullu to put on media-net in TIMES. In spite of all the bad blood, I was willing to promote the series, but I can't be made to promote a channel in particular or act as their brand ambassador. Also, they wanted my bytes regarding the channel and for me to post it on my social media but CINTAA agreed that sharing a project on one's personal handles is an actor's prerogative and not a contractual obligation."

Anupriya further stated, "During the CINTAA meeting, it was decided that I would promote the series based on the 3 initial intimate scenes being dimmed out by the production as agreed before the shoot. They confirmed it but then released the series as it is and hence I am not under any obligation to promote it anymore anyways."

She summed up, "To end it, I don’t understand, how can I be questioned here, even though I’m the one who has been wronged as an actor, I have been lied to, facts have been misrepresented to me and have been highly manipulated.  So, on behalf of all the actors out there, I have all the right to take this up and stand my ground.  You cannot make an actor do a web series while projecting it to be a short film and paying them accordingly. You cannot set out to do 45 mins short film, after discussing a certain layout and theme and projection of a script with an actor and change it into a 128 mins web series after the shoot. Most of all, you cannot deliberately hide the platform details from an actor when it already been decided and the project has been sanctioned from the platform."

She concludes, "All this accounts for acute misconduct and unprofessionalism. I am here to do good work,  collaborate with talented teams, do my riyaz and grow as an artist not to pick petty fights. But at the same time will not accept injustice. I’ve gone through a lot of harassment and have suffered a lot, because of my mistake of trusting the makers and wanting to do a short film for creative satisfaction."