Producers Guild of India recently dropped a statement (source) calling out the attacks on the "reputation" of the (Hindi) film industry.
Context: Sushant Singh Rajput's death reminded the public of the troubles that a talented non star-kid faces when entering the film industry. From insensitive smear campaigns, to being called arrogant when refusing films they don't wish to do, to being mocked at by A-listers.
Several credible artists came fore to share their own #IAmSushant stories in an attempt to whistleblow. For once feeling not-alone in reminding the Bollywood king pins that everything wasn't ok. Abhay deol, Manoj Bajpai, Kangana Renaut, Sonu Nigam, Ranvir Shorey (the gender skew in this list is a reflection point too)
PGI's statement
While attempting it as a PR-fix to the exposé underway, the Producers Guild of India unfortunately only reinforced the need for continued whistleblowing. Here's how the statement went so wrong:
1. "No big deal" written all over it
Every senteced oozed of, 'we know it's tough for 'some', but so it is in other industries' attitude. The sheer arrogance, that nothing is truly wrong - was the repetitive claim.
Not an attitude you'd expect from a leader in any organisation, society or country.
2. Zero intent to fix displayed
You look up to guilds, societies, boards for being role models of equality, fairness, progress, solution-ing. PGI's statement lost a fantastic opportunity they had, to not only acknowledge but take ownership of steps towards fixing the problem.
Had they spoken of initiatives they have taken or would take, they would have gained respect if nothing else. It would have helped the aspirants gain faith. They spoke of - none. Zero.
3. Calling out whistleblowers & how
Disregarding the good that comes out of whistleblowing, PGI didn't spare anyone. Media has been accused of 'fanning the flames', artists speaking out are accused of 'venting out fears', 'tearing each other apart' - not once saying "it's okay to speak out for yourself, or for those without a voice who can't speak out without jeopardising their jobs".
4. False equivalences
Unlike what PGI wishes to find solace in - No, not every buddying doctor is told - "you can't be successful, if you don't have a pre existing 'connection'". Not every buddying commerce kid is told, "you wouldn't get a respectable job, you don't have a big daddy to help you". Most news anchors of today, didn't grow up with this barrier either. But almost every film industry aspirant is told "build connections first", "do you know someone, though?".
Yes, buddying politicians are told the same - and if that's the industry you want to benchmark against, you have an unfortunate perspective.
I maybe wrong but, maybe look at your own created movies that reflect society. How many movies with talented doctors had the doctor looking for 'connections' to survive in the industry? Or an Army person needing a father in the forces? Or a lawyer? However, there are several film artists across several films who were in a connection-needed boat. Yes, favoritism and biases exist across and need to be called out, but the degree by which favoritism is a 'make or break' in Bollywood is incomparable.
#InSolidarty of aspiring Hindi film industry artists.
Post script - so much disrespect for labour, and talent has been normalized, that junior artists often await their due 'payments' even from established production houses. So much intolerance for criticism exists, that hardly anyone criticizes until after they make it big. The rest just tender apologies like Arijit Singh or Vivek Oberoi had to.
