Deccan Chronicle Article:Hiten

A survey this week, of jobs worldwide, has revealed that an actor's job is one of the worst. In fact, it's ranked a bleak 196 out of 200 — rock bottom!

So, why is the glamour industry so cruel to its workers? And most importantly, what's the day in the life of a star like? To get a better perspective on the story, we dialed Tollywood star Samantha Prabhu who was incidentally in the city for an event with GRT Jewellers — another one of her many engagements, besides the seven films she's currently juggling. The schedule's so hectic, she's "forgotten about Sundays", and reveals a terrifying little-known fact about showbusiness.

"You know what... you can't call in sick. Impossible. If I say, 'I'm not well,' there's nobody to replace me and the shoot goes for a toss, money's lost. I also work throughout the week," she says.

"But I'm not complaining. The money's good and because actresses don't have a very long career, I've got to make the most of it."

Samantha is not alone. Priyanka Chopra, in B-town is actually shuttling between continents. PC has a full-fledged music career going on in the USA and that's another life. It's promotions, events, meetings, interviews, photoshoots and "lots and lots of time spent at airports….." Ayushmann Khurrana meanwhile, is exhausted. He was in the city recently worrying about exercise, excessive eating and his hopes on singing. "I am finding it difficult to catch up. I have no time for riyaaz (practice). And, to top it all, I eat a lot. So, I need to work out in gyms. I had no idea showbusiness was so hectic," he says.

There's also optimism. Tollywood newcomer Aditi Chengappa, sees her schedule as a "stress buster". "You just need to make time for yourself. Also, it's not only the stars who are shooting in the heat and rain. There are spot boys, technicians and many others. For us, there's also all that exciting travel."

And that's a divide. Travel is limited to movie stars. What's it like working for TV shows?

"I work for six months, and then there's a five-day break," opens actor Hiten Tejwani. "Holidays are a matter of luxury. And that's the drawback of working for daily shows. You have absolutely no choice. I sleep for only two to three hours, because my day starts at 9am and I have my children too."

The issue of TV actors' schedules got so bad,

CINTAA, or the Cine Artists Association, issued guidelines against shoots after 9pm. "At least, there are rules. But for emergencies, we do work beyond it," Tejwani adds.

But emergency schedules have also led to 'injuries'. Actor Sonu Sood missed out on the plum Zanjeer project, due to on-set injuries.

"We don't have time for families, we need to be on our toes all the time and yes, it gets very busy. But fans give us a high. It's all worth it. No complaints, honestly. It's the best job," says Sood.

Fans, we agree… people rushing for your photographs and autographs should give that ego, and the hurting back a boost. But what about love? Is that on a BlackBerry too?

"Actors must find someone from the industry. I recommend that. It makes life easier, and your partner will always be understanding…which is, important in relationships." says Samantha.