Is film industry ready for pay cuts?

Actor-producer Madhuri Dixit Nene opines that film stars will need to take a pay cut to try and help the film industry tide over what is looking like losses worth over Rs 3000 to Rs 4,000 crores.

“We need to support the producers. Everyone will try and pitch in because we all want the work to restart properly and take salary cuts as well. If the stars want the industry to come to a normal, in the new normal, we have to come and pitch in with our efforts. I will stand by my producers in this endeavour,” says Madhuri.

Madhuri is not alone in holding this opinion —  several other actors understand the filmmakers’ plight shouldering heavy losses in the film industry.

Kartik Aaryan too mentioned in a chat with Anupama Chopra that he was willing to take a pay cut. “I wouldn’t want to cut down on people’s jobs. There has to be a solution wherein that problem also doesn’t crop up and producers (who are getting hit) too are saved. There has to be a solution and a balance will come out. Whatever it takes for the industry to get together and start working, I think, I am up for it. I would do whatever collectively we decide to do,” he had said.

Saand Ki Aankh actress Taapsee Pannu adds, “Since we have not been shooting for the past few weeks, we are not being paid any money at all now. So when work begins, we will need to take a salary cut and I am ready for that,” says asserts.

Film industry pundits feel that it is important not only for big stars but also for highly paid technicians to fall in line with this thought.

“Everyone needs to pitch in now and that is how we can overcome this situation. It is so unprecedented that films need to be made in a tighter budget, keeping in mind that the audience is also going to take a while to troop into the theatres like before,” says writer and film historian Imtiaz Baghdadi.