Shilpa Shinde calls out 'mafia' TV producers over 90-day payment delays
Actor Shilpa Shinde accused television producers of operating like a mafia and withholding actors' payments for up to 90 days. Her remarks, made while reacting to actor Shehzada Dhami's dues claim, renewed focus on fear, pressure and lack of support within the industry.
Actor Shilpa Shinde criticised television show producers, calling them a ‘mafia’ and alleging that actors’ payments are held back for up to 90 days. In the video, the 48-year-old said the problem went beyond delayed payments and spoke about fear and lack of support within the television industry.
She made the remarks in an Instagram video while reacting to actor Shehzada Dhami’s claim that he is yet to receive Rs 30 lakh from the makers of his show. Her remarks also come days after she faced online backlash over her recent admission that the sexual harassment allegations she had made nine years ago against the makers of Bhabi Ji Ghar Par Hai! were false.
Shinde said, “The producers in the TV industry operate like a mafia. They are white-collar mafias. Producers who refuse to support them are threatened and told that if something happens to them in the future, no one will stand by them. Their work is also sabotaged. We artists cannot do the same because producers hold our payments for up to 90 days, and those payments often get withheld.”
She also questioned why television actors do not stand by one another. Referring to her own experience, Shinde said she was not supported when she needed it. While making her point, Shinde indirectly referred to the recent case involving actor Sanchita Ugale.
Reference to the Sanchita Ugale case
“They did not support me. Even today, when they had an opportunity to stand by me, they still didn’t. There was no need for me to speak up. No one even knows what I went through at that time. People are falsely accusing me of doing it just for money. Today, 10 years later, that producer is still making TV shows and even films. No one dares to fight for justice for themselves. And then people end up taking extreme steps like suicide,” she said.
Ugale’s family has alleged that she was facing mental harassment and pressure in the months before her death. Her father, Machhindra Ugale, has called for a thorough investigation and said his daughter had been under significant mental stress. He also alleged that she had been dealing with problems at her workplace and appealed for justice.
Ugale’s maternal aunt also alleged that the actor had been mentally harassed and pressured by someone from the entertainment industry. Actor Jessica, who worked with Ugale, said she found it difficult to believe she would take such a step and called for improvements in the industry’s work culture to reduce pressure on artists.
Earlier, the All Indian Cine Workers Association had sought a high-level investigation into Ugale’s death and wrote to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis seeking a thorough and transparent probe. Ugale, 26, was found dead at her home on June 14.
Backlash over podcast remarks
Shinde’s latest remarks come shortly after controversy over her comments on Bharti Singh and Harssh Limbachiyaa’s podcast. There, she said she had filed a sexual harassment case against her producer because she had no other option and later reached a settlement.
She said, “Nobody knows this. I’m not afraid of telling the truth now, and I’ll still say it because it’s a big revelation. I had filed a sexual harassment case against my producer because I had no other option. Eventually, I came out of that situation after reaching a settlement. At that time, no producer supported him, and I filed the case on that basis.”
Those remarks triggered a strong backlash online.
Actor Shilpa Shinde criticised television show producers, calling them a ‘mafia’ and alleging that actors’ payments are held back for up to 90 days. In the video, the 48-year-old said the problem went beyond delayed payments and spoke about fear and lack of support within the television industry.
She made the remarks in an Instagram video while reacting to actor Shehzada Dhami’s claim that he is yet to receive Rs 30 lakh from the makers of his show. Her remarks also come days after she faced online backlash over her recent admission that the sexual harassment allegations she had made nine years ago against the makers of Bhabi Ji Ghar Par Hai! were false.
Shinde said, “The producers in the TV industry operate like a mafia. They are white-collar mafias. Producers who refuse to support them are threatened and told that if something happens to them in the future, no one will stand by them. Their work is also sabotaged. We artists cannot do the same because producers hold our payments for up to 90 days, and those payments often get withheld.”
She also questioned why television actors do not stand by one another. Referring to her own experience, Shinde said she was not supported when she needed it. While making her point, Shinde indirectly referred to the recent case involving actor Sanchita Ugale.
Reference to the Sanchita Ugale case
“They did not support me. Even today, when they had an opportunity to stand by me, they still didn’t. There was no need for me to speak up. No one even knows what I went through at that time. People are falsely accusing me of doing it just for money. Today, 10 years later, that producer is still making TV shows and even films. No one dares to fight for justice for themselves. And then people end up taking extreme steps like suicide,” she said.
Ugale’s family has alleged that she was facing mental harassment and pressure in the months before her death. Her father, Machhindra Ugale, has called for a thorough investigation and said his daughter had been under significant mental stress. He also alleged that she had been dealing with problems at her workplace and appealed for justice.
Ugale’s maternal aunt also alleged that the actor had been mentally harassed and pressured by someone from the entertainment industry. Actor Jessica, who worked with Ugale, said she found it difficult to believe she would take such a step and called for improvements in the industry’s work culture to reduce pressure on artists.
Earlier, the All Indian Cine Workers Association had sought a high-level investigation into Ugale’s death and wrote to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis seeking a thorough and transparent probe. Ugale, 26, was found dead at her home on June 14.
Backlash over podcast remarks
Shinde’s latest remarks come shortly after controversy over her comments on Bharti Singh and Harssh Limbachiyaa’s podcast. There, she said she had filed a sexual harassment case against her producer because she had no other option and later reached a settlement.
She said, “Nobody knows this. I’m not afraid of telling the truth now, and I’ll still say it because it’s a big revelation. I had filed a sexual harassment case against my producer because I had no other option. Eventually, I came out of that situation after reaching a settlement. At that time, no producer supported him, and I filed the case on that basis.”
Those remarks triggered a strong backlash online.
