The clamor over 8-hour shifts in Bollywood, sparked anew by new mother Deepika Padukone, has veteran Deepak Parashar speaking out forcefully. With 46 years in showbiz, he tells us why star-driven demands won’t fix the plight of everyday actors and urges top leaders to step in for lasting solutions.
‘Celebrity issues are valid, but they don’t touch the strugglers roaming streets for work,’ Parashar asserted. He dissected how the industry revolves around bankable names, sidelining those in bit parts or constant auditions. Big stars enjoy luxuries; the rest battle survival without safety nets.
Parashar challenged the reluctance of power players to protest publicly. ‘Secure stars avoid rocking the boat,’ he observed, explaining stalled movements. Change is stirring, though, as seasoned performers—Poonam Dhillon, Padmini Kolhapure, Upasana Singh—forge alliances drawing from their extensive careers to champion the needy.
COVID-era philanthropy shone bright: Hrithik’s rations, Sonu’s mass rescues, Salman’s foundation aid, SRK and Akshay’s contributions. ‘Personal generosity was heartwarming but fleeting,’ Parashar reflected. Today’s challenge is uniting artists across films, TV, and streaming under one strong association—a task proving elusive.
Fragmented efforts have yielded no big wins, he lamented. Only institutional frameworks and political will can deliver. ‘We pin hopes on PM Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, and Arun Govil for policy-driven justice,’ Parashar concluded, envisioning an equitable future where no artist fights alone. This call to action could redefine Bollywood’s underbelly.