The opposite force in Bollywood

The powers are all set to get divided in Bollywood. Not content with the way things have been handled, specially the welfare of junior artistes and ailing yesteryear stars, there is a rival apex body coming up to give some competition to IMPAA (Indian Motion Pictures’ Producers Association). With actor Irrfan Khan leading the team of disgruntled actors, sources say that the rival association has also managed to get the support of actor Sanjay Dutt.

“Irrfan Khan has already signed to be an office bearer of the organisation. Sanjay Dutt has also promised to lend his support. But at this moment he has not signed on the dotted line because of the court case against him,” says a source. Interestingly, the famous case where a filmmaker has sought to attach the property of Dutt, reportedly got the support from a section of producers at IMPAA when he went to court over recovery of the acting fees he had paid to Dutt.

The source adds, “One of the top Khans has also been approached to be a member of the organisation.” And the Khan referred to here is not Shah Rukh; it might be between Salman, Saif or Aamir, as sources suggest.

The other prominent members include Farah Sultan Ahmed, wife of renowned producer Late Sultan Ahmed and former executive committee member of IMPAA, who has joined hands with politician Raj Thackeray’s sister-in-law, Shalini Thackeray. Not many know that Shalini was the first one to notice the condition of actor AK Hangal. Says Shalini, “We are trying to make things more organised. I’d request people to come forward and share their problems. We will do our best to get them what they deserve.”

Farah says, “People who suffer the most are from the lower rung and hence can’t make much noise. We will take up their cause and try and clean the system as much as we can. We already have Irfan Khan and Bunty Walia lending their support. The whole industry is like a huge family and we should clear our disputes within ourselves and find ways where everybody can grow with all positive means.”

Basic concerns like wages of junior artistes, technicians, workers, their working hours, and Censor issues are being looked at. “We are also looking at some kind of arrangement where character artistes are not forced to live in such bad conditions after they stop working in films. We’re getting medical insurance done for every crew member and looking at other benefits too.”