TV actors battle to survive lockdown blues

As the television industry remains paralysed by lockdown, many actors and workers are scared. Non-payment of dues by many producers are just adding to the woes. For many, it is either turning into a struggle with mental health or a matter of survival.
“For newcomer actors, whose salary is less, it is very difficult (to survive). We don’t know anything about whether the channel is giving money to the producer or not,” actor Vikas Sethi told IANS.
“Now everybody is at home, so no one is realising that once the lockdown opens then people will be in search of money. Like my staff is asking for money. I am paying them, but till when? Right now, there is no source of money coming in, money is just going out. With the financial crisis, everyone is facing a mental torture, too,” added the actor, who has worked extensively on the small screen and also in a number of Bollywood movies.
To this, actor-writer-producer Gaurav Chanana added: “Our industry was the first to shut down. On March 16 we got a letter, and on the 18th we stopped working, and seems like our industry will be the last to re-open. Wage earners are in disarray, so are some actors alongside technicians. People will help till a point, post that everyone has their limitations.”
“In some cases, I am sure producers have not been paid and are in a cash crunch themselves, but the ones that are cash-rich and not clearing dues are totally wrong. I produce ads and have made sure everyone has been paid and in some cases even advances Have been given, which can be adjusted in future,” he stressed, adding: “Hope the authorities open up our industry soon, as more people might suffer from hunger and depression than corona!” (IANS)