Amid renewed shift debates triggered by Deepika Padukone’s post-baby 8-hour demand, Deepak Parashar delivers a sobering reality check. The veteran performer pulls no punches in revealing Bollywood’s underclass struggles and beseeches national leaders for institutional rescue.
Deepika’s cause merits support, Parashar concedes, but it overlooks the desperate. ‘Stars thrive on box office pull, commanding flexibility,’ he stated. ‘Daily wage actors and extras endure chaos without such privileges.’ This hierarchy stifles progress for the rank-and-file.
Parashar laments big stars’ inaction: ‘They shun streetside fights from their safe havens.’ Yet, hope flickers as icons Poonam Dhillon, Padmini Kolhapure, and Upasana Singh leverage lifetimes of experience to unite for reform.
After 46 years, Parashar seeks to end generational torment. COVID saw stars step up—Hrithik with essentials, Sonu with heroic aid, Salman via his trust, SRK and Akshay with funds. ‘Admirable, but not a blueprint for enduring change,’ he cautioned.
Expansion into television and OTT has splintered artist unity, dooming collective power. Parashar’s prescription: top-down governance. ‘Prime Minister Modi, Amit Shah, Arun Govil must craft artist-friendly policies,’ he implored. This blueprint could transform inequities into opportunities, fostering a balanced entertainment ecosystem.