It's disrespectful to not pay us on time'

Khushhal, Ramsha, Nadia highlight problematic trend

The world of showbiz may be radiant with glitz and glamour, but when it comes to cast and crew receiving payment on time, all that glitz and glamour falls through a trapdoor. In an industry rife with complaints about timely compensation, Suno Chanda star Nadia Afgan is the latest to raise her voice.

"I have literally stopped working with everyone except for two production houses only because every production delays payment," penned Nadia in an Instagram Story earlier this week. "We have to repeatedly ask for our money. We don't get royalties. And the channels are making tons of money from YouTube and are not willing to pay us our dues."

The rise of YouTube has added a huge boost to the viewership of local dramas, with international audiences now able to access them with the same ease as local viewers. However, the boost in publicity does not appear to have coincided with a boost in the professional treatment of cast and crew.

Whilst there have always been whispers about the ill-treatment of actors on set, Nadia's damning critique of the entertainment industry comes shortly after DuniyaPur actors Khushhal Khan and Ramsha Khan also highlighted the issue in a recent interview with the BBC Asian Network, although they took pains to note that this was not the case with their latest show. Both stars noted that in addition to the action-packed script, what set DuniyaPur apart was that they had been paid in a timely manner – a stark departure from the pattern set by the industry at large.

"The cheque was an added bonus – you get a really good script, and you're also getting money for it!" remarked Ramsha.

"And in a thoroughly professional way," added Khushhal.

Like all those affected by delayed financial compensation, Khushhal minced no words when discussing the industry's trend for cast and crew to fight for their financial rights.

"It's disrespectful not to pay on time because we're there on time, we're showing up, we're doing everything that we can, we're giving 110 per cent every single day," stated Khushhal. "The least we expect is that [they] pay us on time."

Ramsha, meanwhile, noted that the problem is so widespread that some actors accept defeat after battling to get paid. However, she also added that she is not amongst those who cave to the pressure and accept radio silence when it comes to her finances. Ramsha explained that she refuses to work if she is not getting what she is owed, regardless of the impact such an action may have on her reputation at large.

"Some actors don't even get paid for a year or two years and so they give up," she pointed out. "It's so sad that they put up with all these things. I mean when it comes to me, I either tell them that my payment is due, or I just don't show up on set!"

Ramsha's co-star, Khushhal, conceded that whilst not coming to work was not ideal, in some instances, actors were left with no choice if they wanted to make their voices heard.

"It's not the right way to do it – you should show up on set – but they're pushing you so much. We're showing up, we're doing everything we can. You bow down once, and it becomes a pattern."

Adding a tone of practicality to the conversation, Ramsha added, "Also, I have to pay my bills, man!"

Ramsha, Khushhal, and Nadia's recent statements serve to underscore the problematic trend and belittling impact of delayed financial compensation. It remains to be seen whether such public statements embolden others to come forward and bring about a change in the entertainment industry.