Why is Equity Union law not being implemented in India? Asks actress and writer Aseema Bhatt

When there is law for everything in the country, there is law on law, then why is Bollywood itself away from enacting basic laws for artists and technicians? Writer and NSD actress Aseema Bhatt, who brings many such questions to the fore from her studies from time to time, is here mentioning a Hollywood rule which is related to the livelihood of artists and asks why such laws cannot be implemented in Bollywood? Presenting the matter of Equity Union Law with Asima.

There is a law for artists in Hollywood called the Artists Act Code Equity Union (Equity Union). Under this, there is a system of Regidule to the actors.

In which any artist may be the smallest or the biggest

No matter what kind of work they have done at any time. Even if the role of an actor has been edited after the shooting, still they get their remuneration in the form of royalty in their account. Even if it is a small part of an artist's work. There should be a footage bank or reference. Or after years, a repeat show-telecast of a show or film in which certain artists have worked, or their work is shown or used in any way anywhere. Or as it is sometimes called footage bank or NG shot (not good shot), if any one of them needs a scene for any kind of use, then the money for the rights of the artists would have come to their account (bank account).

Artists neither have to visit the producer nor the production house for this. Artists continue to get their remuneration without much respect. So that they can survive comfortably while not working. It acts as a kind of pension for artists. Even if an artist is not working at present, the remuneration for the work done by him in the past will definitely come to his share. That money isn't going anywhere. Artists are satisfied with this fact. If the actors want, they can use that money themselves or they can appoint anyone as their successor as per their wish. This is their (actor's rights) sole right.

That's why it has been seen that Hollywood actors take retirement from their work comfortably or do work of their own choice. If you want, you work, and otherwise you spend the rest of your life wandering. Or plan the rest of your life in your own way.

Whatever other problems Hollywood actors may face, they never face financial problems. Nor do they die of hunger. The actors there never face financial problems, so they live a better, happy and respectable life comfortably. It is often seen here in India that if an artist becomes old, sick or helpless, then they are not taken care of or treated for their illness.

Many artists died in obscurity. Many in rehve centers, many in old age homes and some on the streets. Even his loved ones could not recognize him. Especially after the lockdown, it can be seen that the artists have become very disappointed. Fearing insecurity, many artists committed suicide. Like America, the Artists Act Code law should be implemented in India or a pension scheme should be implemented for every artist. So that every artist can live with respect in the society with their loved ones and fans by raising their heads.

-Translated by Muskan Taneja