Arbaaz Ali Khan talks about casting couch, politics, payment issues that dominate the TV industry

Arbaaz Ali Khan, son of veteran actor Ajit Khan, has been a part of some mind-blowing film projects such as Taj Mahal: An Eternal Love Story, Mrityudata, Kal: Yesterday and Tomorrow and Black Friday. He has also been a part of television shows such as Karam Apna Apna, Sanskaar- Dharohar Apno Ki, Madhubala and is presently seen in Devon Ke Dev…Mahadev. The actor, who has been around for almost a decade now, had an exclusive talk with Tellychakkar.com wherein he expressed his frustration on the way actors are treated in this industry. When asked about why he could not make a mark in the world of entertainment like his father did, he quickly took up to the most relatable term of the industry - the casting couch! Said Arbaaz, “The reason why I have not reached the benchmark like my father is very evident. During my father Ajit Khan’s era, actors were judged on their merit, particularly the male actors. While today, there is a whole community out there waiting to victimize aspirants be it male or females. Out of the many auditions I have given till date, I have never been rejected because of my talent. It has either been budget issues or because I have refused to give in to their immoral demands.” Arbaaz talked about how talented people have been out of work primarily because of rich aspirants getting in through recommendations from the channel or plainly because of them being fortunate enough to be related to the producer in some way or the other. “I do not want to offend anyone. I am a frustrated actor trying to figure out what is going on in this industry…Apart from this, the most common problem that actors encounter today is payment issues. I cannot understand why the television industry cannot feasibly function like the film industry. It hurts when actors indulge into such dirty politics and demands like casting couch, and not to forget the recommendations and letters,” expressed the angry actor. Arbaaz averred, “The producers get their cheque after 45 days. They invest in a fixed deposit, earn profit and then pay us after a span of 90 days. No wonder TV actors would love to work in films because even if the budget of the film is very high, the film maker has to first buy distributors and the profit may follow depending on how the film has worked. There are no ‘ifs’ and buts’’ there.” Prudent and assertive as he sounded, Arbaaz mentioned that the way actors are treated is humiliating and it is saddening to see how producers do not respect an actor’s time. He briefed us in one sentence saying, “We are made to work for hours which cause nausea.” While he claimed that majority of the producers have lost the passion and that is the primary reason why they cannot generate TRPs like the shows which were produced earlier like Neena Gupta’s Saans and the epic drama show Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, he also spoke of how Devon Ke Dev…Mahadev makes each and every episode very special and unique with its quality and content. He affirmed, “Till the producers travel in auto rickshaws, they have the passion to create unique and distinguished content and respect everyone’s time and energy they put in. But the moment they buy a penthouse with a car, shows are nothing but business deals irrespective of whether it clicks with the audience or not.” Arbaaz culminated the thought by saying, “Today every actor is going through this stress, but no one has the guts to speak out. All I want to say is that there are many talented actors who are waiting to jump on a good opportunity and prove their versatility and talent. But the point is, when will they be brought into light?” You are indeed a man of guts, Arbaaz!!