The divide' in the views of the Producers and actors owing to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Cine & TV Artistes Association (CINTAA) and the Indian Film and TV Producers' Council (IFTPC) on 1 May has gotten wider with some strong reactions coming in from both quarters.
Actors hold to the denial' mode while the Producers believe that this development will create a better air to live in, in the industry.
So how does the MoU read?
The Producer shall designate a minimum of 5 lead actors, actors either male/female who would be central to the programme and would have most appearances and prominence in the show. In special cases, the Producer can designate Additional Lead Actors' who will get into the clause.
The MoU shall govern the wide spectrum of issues pertaining to actors and producers and will bind the 5 or more recognized lead actors with a three years contract during which the actor cannot exit the show. In order to make the shooting ambience smooth, CINTAA will be honouring timelines and schedules keeping in mind the delivery of episodes and cost-effectiveness. The call in-time and out-time of the actor along with the signature of the actor will be captured in the call sheet by the producer on a daily basis. Dishonouring this would mean that the producer shall be entitled to impose penalties and deduct payments to actors.
The CINTAA also understands that lead actors who play the key characters are pivotal to the success of a television programme and accordingly agree that actors playing such key characters cannot unilaterally terminate their contracts and leave the show unless agreed in writing by the producer under emergent circumstances.
Furthermore, actors shall be paid for pilot episodes irrespective of the show going on air. Also, the actors need not give more than 30 days a month for a schedule. Discipline in terms of payments, daily conveyance along with the annual increments shall be provided to the actor. There are also other and sundry points which can be read at the CINTAA's official website.
We at Tellychakkar.com spoke to few producers and actors to know their POV on the MoU that has been drafted
Vivian Dsena, the lead of Madhubala had this to say, "I certainly disapprove of the three year contract that actors need to sign. In today's time, do you think all shows will run up to three years? What if a show wraps up before three years? Will the producers give the actors a guarantee of every show running for three years? If such a clause comes into existence, I will certainly not adhere to it. A MoU cannot decide the future of so many actors in the fraternity. It's very unfair. This clause is very one-sided and is only in favour of the Producers. I will never allow my career to get caught in this. Signing a three-year contract will only stop an actor from growing creatively. As for the working hours, the producers need to understand that we actors have a personal life too. And we need to take care of our health. There are actors who have worked unconditionally to deliver episodes on time for 24 hours a day, putting their lifestyle at stake. There have been many examples of actors falling ill and losing their health owing to the stressful work schedule. We have lost many directors and actors' lives owing to this stress attack. So overall, a one year contract for actors is fair enough, is what I imply."
