Everyone is locked in a lockdown. There is no shooting in the indsutry. So a lot of actors are passing their times unemployed. But how long will this last? How will the artistes’ families go on? Pop`ular actress Jyotika Jyoti has questioned this. In her Facebook post, the actress wrote, “I was saying, what about the acting artists of Bangladesh and related media workers? There is nothing going on, no craving for hunger! I don't see anyone asking for anything.
Some try to give a hint or two but then again it falls silent. Maybe some thought that this will be a great dishonour! Of course I am quite skeptical as to whether anyone really respects the people of this profession in our country.”
She further wrote that if the artistes do not participate in social responsibility, and in creating social awareness, this is a great crime. The artistes will also have to give free awareness creating speeches in a public or private project. Otherwise, where is the social responsibility of the artiste? There is no scope of keeping a budget for the artiste in the huge crore taka worth project. The rest of the money will go up in airs and the artistes will survive on air!
Regarding the current state of the artistes, the star said, "As far as I know, the only source of income for them (artistes) is the amount what they get at the end of the day by working. The society calls this honorarium rather than calling it a daily wage. The honorarium is now off as the shooting is also off.
It is uncertain how many more months it will take for the country to regain normality. So what is the future of these people who have passed their life on daily wage earners? She said in a tone of sorrow that a message has been received from the Television Artistes’ Association. If any artist is interested, his name will be sent to the Ministry of Information for government assistance. The association has performed its duty.
But why should I take two to four thousand or two to four lakh taka as government aid? Apart from hunger, an artiste also has self-esteem. Can life sustain on this small amount government aide during this crisis? Those who are well off can comfortable live. But, nothing stays for long, everything has an end. You're just a poor workers of a poor industry.
As an artiste I want what is rightfully mine. My stomach does not fill up after eating air or the special honorarium from tea-parties. I don’t find peace in selling self-esteem to get pity.The actress urged the leaders of the organization to take necessary decisions to protect the professional rights of the working artistes and the culture of the country.
