THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Ever seen crowds in movies and thought how they are arranged for the perfect shot? Rarely do audiences get to know the junior artists involved and their concerns. But an open forum at the Kerala Film Policy Conclave in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday saw junior artists raising their concerns on key issues they face, including compensation and lack of basic amenities.
“Junior artists suffer immense exploitation across the industry,” said Movie Artists’ Association of Kerala (MAAK) state general secretary Hari Ottappalam. He cited basic issues such as the differentiation in food served to lead actors, technicians and junior artists, and a lack of proper drinking water or bathroom facilities on most sets. “Worst is the fact that a major chunk of our remuneration is claimed by middlemen, who work as agents,” he said.
Junior artists are often arranged by coordinators through such agents, Hari said “We are often allotted up to Rs 1,500, but end up getting just Rs 500-600,” he said. “We have our disagreements with the initial policy framework forwarded by the government, which empowers these agents,” MAAK president Shaijunath P said.
The plight of female junior artists is even more pathetic, said Shobhana Sundaran, an artist from Thrissur. “For female artists, a clean toilet is more important than food, which is not available on many sets,” she said. Adding that many continue to work as junior artists despite challenges due to lack of other work opportunities, she said that though they are often hired by trustworthy people, the situation, more often than not, ends up going south.
“While shooting of L2: Empuraan, we were left stranded at midnight without proper accommodation. It was arranged after several hours,” she said. The film policy, which the government is looking to roll out within two months, is expected to address their issues as well.
Meanwhile, Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA)officials refuted the claims. “We provide food on film sets based solely on head count, without any discrimination,” FEFKA Production Executives’ Union joint secretary Shaji Pattikkara told TNIE, adding that it is impractical not to assign agents for access to junior artists.