Post, Abir Goswami’s sudden death, Ronit Roy raises issue of basic amenities for TV actors

Could Abir Goswami’s life have been saved? The shockingly sudden death of television actor Abir Goswami of a heart attack has raised the perennial issue of unearthly hours and dreadful work conditions afforded to television actors. Ronit Roy who has been working on television for over 15 years and has now phased out into big-screen acting, says the arduous hours and deplorable work conditions provided on the sets of television serials are potentially dangerous for the cast and crew’s health. Shudders Ronit, “The conditions under which TV actors work are unimaginable. We have to work almost non-stop for 14-16 hours in the most unhygienic conditions. I was once shooting for my serial Adaalat (Sony TV) on a set erected right next to a garbage dump....day and night! By evening the whole place would be stinking with garbage. I shudder to think what diseases that filth must have carried on to our sets.” Ronit finally got the set removed from the garbage dump. But when it comes to the food provided Ronit had to concede defeat. “Luckily they listened to me about removing the set from near the garbage dump. But many times I am helpless. The food provided during television shootings in most of the time is unpalatable. And there’s nothing that can be done about it.” This, shocking truth about the quality of food on television shootings, Ronit discovered by chance. Says Ronit, “I never touch the food on the television sets. I get ghar ka dabba that my wife sends no matter where I am shooting. But most actors can’t take home-cooked food with them. I remember we were shooting for this long-running serial for one of the biggest production houses. The crew and cast came to me to complain about the food. I tasted the food. It was absolutely unpalatable. Not fit for human consumption. I complained to the production company’s head about the food. For five days the food improved then the quality went back to being what it used to be.” Ronit admits television actors work under conditions of tremendous health hazards. “I don’t know if Abir Goswami could have lived longer if he worked under better conditions. But we certainly don’t guarantee even basic amenities, forget about luxuries for television actors. I am glad I’ve cut down on television. It would have surely taken a toll on my health.” Abir too was gravitating towards the big screen. Says Ronit, “Abir was my co-star in the film Ugly. A talented actor. We had also done television together. He had a very bright future as an actor. I rushed to his home after the tragedy. It’s hard to believe Abir is gone. We had recently completed Ugly where he played an ACP. I believe he suffered from a heart condition. My advice to fellow-actors on television: please insist on getting basic amenities and decent food on the sets during those long hours that television demands.”