Zee TV's Aisi Deewangi...Dekhi Nahi Kahi
ended abruptly a couple of days ago and
one would easily remember all the major
drama that was hovering around it off-
screen.
Be it the lead pair, Pranav Misshra and Jyoti
Sharma complaining against their producers
to the CINTAA (Cine and TV Artistes
Association) or be it them wanting to quit
the show, things haven't been merry for the
past couple of months.
And now, even though the show has ended
abruptly, according to a report in Bombay
Times, the producers have taken legal action
against both Pranav and Jyoti.
The producer of the show, Aastha Naad
mentioned how they were in a state of
shock after reading Pranav and Jyoti's
statement "We were in a state of shock
after reading Pranav and Jyoti's statement
in the media. We weren't expecting it as
they had wished us for the New Year. If
they had an issue regarding anything,
including fee hike, they could have
informed us. They had read the contract
before signing it. So, we couldn't
understand how such grave issues
cropped up overnight. We invest so much
time and energy while grooming new
actors. If this is what we get in return, God
save us. None of the other actors had an
issue. We had meetings with the CINTAA
and were expecting a solution. However,
they told us that the lead actors need to be
pampered. Why should we discriminate
within the cast members?"
On artistes' claims of being made to shoot
for over 12 hours a day, she said, "It
happens initially on every set because we
have to make a bank of episodes, but that
didn't happen on a regular basis here. We
follow all the rules set by the trade union,"
she explains. The producers have now
approached the IMPPA. Aastha adds, "We
have also taken legal action against the
lead pair for monetary loss, breach of trust,
defamation, criminal conspiracy and
blackmailing."
They also quoted, Sushant Singh, the General
Secretary of CINTAA as "We acted on a
complaint received from our members
(Pranav and Jyoti) that they were under
severe stress and couldn't continue with
the show. The doctors, too, found them
under severe stress and prescribed heavy
medication. The producers sought our
intervention and we called them for a
meeting. We requested the producers to
ensure a good working environment was
provided to all the unit members, but did
not ask them to pamper the lead pair.
During the meeting, the actors' contracts
were examined, which were found to be
one-sided. The contract was for three-and-
a-half years. They denied even basic rights
to our members by making them shoot for
13 hours a day, 30 days a month. It states
that they are eligible for a 10 per cent
raise annually, but solely at the producers'
discretion. Also, the day our member Nupur
Alankar visited the set to investigate, Jyoti
had to perform a falling stunt. The
production house forgot to arrange
mattresses to cushion her fall. As a result,
she fell on uneven ground. The producers
brought two actors to testify about the
wonderful working conditions on the set.
One actor said that he had joined the show
just a month ago. The other actress was
someone whose CINTAA membership had
been cancelled recently. To top it all, the
producers had also sent us a complaint
against her a few months ago, alleging
unprofessional behaviour."
He added, "Pranav and Jyoti did not wish to
continue with the show, but the producers
requested that they serve a two-month
notice. After our intervention, the actors
agreed to shoot for two months. We also
requested the producers to ensure that
our members are not treated inhumanely
and asked them to issue post-dated
cheques of their final remuneration before
the last day of shoot. However, that is yet
to be done. In this scenario, how is our
stand lopsided? It's the producers' right to
approach the IMPPA and the court. We will
support our members and fight for their
rights, which is our duty."
And finally, Anil Nagrath, the secretary of
IMPAA said, "We have received a complaint
from the producers, citing harassment and
deliberately causing losses as both artistes
did not honour their agreement and left
the show mid-way, leading to its
premature end."
According to sources, leading actors, Pranav
Misshra and Jyoti Sharma have been
informed by CINTAA to not speak for or
against on this matter until further
intimation.
We tried contacting Pranav, however, he
remained unavailable.
We tried contacting Babubhai from IMPAA,
who said he was in a meeting only to
remain unavailable later.
http://www.india-forums.com/tellybuzz/buzzin-hot/43690-post-aisi-deewangi-going-off-air-producers-take-legal-action-aga.htm.