Poonam Dhillon Fights To End 90-Day Pay Delay for Film Workers

Thousands of ground-level workers and technicians in the Hindi film industry are forced to wait 90 days for payment, even as actors and stars are often paid before shooting ends.

CINTAA President Poonam Dhillon is now pushing to abolish the practice. “For us, working hours and timely payments are a big issue. They get paid after 90 days. It’s so unfair,” she said.

“We’re not talking about superstars. We’re talking about actors, character actors, technicians hired for one or two days who depend on daily wages to feed their families.”

When asked if the wage gap stems from budgets skewed toward star fees, Dhillon was cautious. “I don’t know if it’s about that. But I would say the big stars get paid according to what is promised to them. Whereas these guys at the ground level are only promised pay after 90 days. And even then producers often brush them off.”

Dhillon called the discrimination in salary structure unacceptable. “Why after 90 days? I want to ask all producers — does your staff, your driver or househelp wait 90 days to get paid? Or the electrician, plumber, carpenter? Will you pay them after 90 days? Makes no sense. It’s absolutely illogical and absurd. That’s what we are fighting for.”