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Kitu Gidwani calls Bollywood a fake industry, slams lack of royalties
Kitu Gidwani calls Bollywood a fake industry, slams lack of royalties
Veteran actor Kitu Gidwani, who has worked in films and television for four decades, has called Bollywood a “fake industry” that operates on “vague rules”. In an interview with Screen, she criticised…
The Story in Brief
Veteran actor Kitu Gidwani, who has worked in films and television for four decades, has called Bollywood a “fake industry” that operates on “vague rules”. In an interview with Screen, she criticised the lack of royalty payments for actors, saying: “I should have been able to work for 10 years and then live off my royalties for the next ten years, not slog for 40 years.” Gidwani added that intellectual property rights for artistes are “zero in India”, unlike in Hollywood where unions like SAG-AFTRA ensure residual payments.
She also took aim at the limited roles offered to older women. “Once a woman hits 30, she becomes a daadi,” Gidwani said, calling for parts that include “sex, love, power, comedy, and action”. The actor, known for roles in Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na and the TV show Shaktimaan, contrasted India’s system with the West, where unions negotiate residuals for reruns and streaming.
The Indian Opinion
Gidwani’s frustration with Bollywood’s royalty vacuum and ageism finds echo in many Indian artistes. The narrative that “India is just catching up” glosses over the fact that industry bodies like the Producers Guild have resisted collective bargaining for decades. If streaming platforms routinely track views and profits, they can also share a slice with actors. The test here is simple: will the upcoming court battles by musicians for unpaid royalties force a system change, or will Bollywood remain a cottage industry forever? A single designated digital registry for rights could settle the question.
Sources (2): hindustantimes.com, timesofindia.indiatimes.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 2 sources.
