Should TV actors get royalty? Industry reacts!

We talk to directors, producers and experts from the showbiz to find out if actors should be paid a part of royalties as re-runs hit the small screen once again. Read on

It’s a known fact that due to the lockdown, various classic TV shows such as Ramayan, Mahabharat and Shaktimaan etc, have got a new lease on life. And as the past hits do well all over again, reportedly, a few actors such as Arun Govil, Dipika Chikhlia (Ram and Sita of Ramayan), Mita Vashisht (featured in Circus) and Pallavi Joshi (starred in Buniyaad), have spoken about how they deserve to get royalty after the successful re-runs of their shows.

A still from Byomkesh Bakshi

A still from Mahabharat

Makers, on their part, feel the subject [of royalty] can be discussed but the “timing is probably not right”. “What we are going through is a ‘difficult, adjustment time’ wherein there’s a question over survival itself. And the same [business] model has been there from the start. Also, re-runs of shows have been happening forever. It’s all a part of a broadcasters’ long-term investment plan. However, talks about royalty etc, are a healthy sign, and are most welcome. It maybe, the timing of monetary benefits talks isn’t right,” says TV producer Sumeet Mittal.

Chikhlia reportedly has said that “money doesn’t harm anybody”, and how Ramayan actors “were [originally] paid peanuts.” While Joshi apparently feels “it should have been introduced long back”, Vashisht says the “industry is not thoughtful in terms of royalties”. TV director-producer Rajan Shahi says, “If an actor has pointed anything, it must be respected, and discussed with the industry as a whole. It can’t be decided upon in isolation since there are various stakeholders involved.”

Dipika Chikhlia acted as Sita in the series Ramayan (Photo: Instagram)

Experts feel at the end of the day, everything also boils down to the contracts. “Vis-à-vis royalties etc, it’s all about a contract’s finer details,” says trade analyst Taran Adarsh. Shahi concurs, and says: “Yes, it all depends on the contract an actor signs. But don’t forget that makers also take a lot of risk because only two out of 10 shows do well. But there can be a democratic discussion on it.”

A still from Dekh Bhai Dekh