It’s disrespectful not to pay us on time.’

Showbiz may be aglow with glitz and glamour, but when it comes to the cast and crew getting paid on time, all that glitz and glamor falls through a trap door. In an industry rife with complaints about timely compensation, Suno Chanda star Nadia Afgan is the latest to speak out.

“I literally stopped working with everyone except two production houses just because every production delays payment,” Nadia wrote in an Instagram Story earlier this week. “We have to ask for our money repeatedly. We don’t get royalties. And the channels are making tons of money from YouTube and they are not willing to pay us our dues.”

The rise of YouTube has given a huge boost to viewership of local dramas, and international audiences can now access them as easily as local viewers. However, the increase in publicity does not appear to have coincided with an increase in professional treatment of the cast and crew.

While there have always been rumors about mistreatment of actors on set, Nadia’s damning criticism of the entertainment industry comes soon after DuniyaPur actors Khushhal Khan and Ramsha Khan also highlighted the issue in a recent interview with BBC Asian Network, although they took pains to point out that this was not the case with their latest show. Both stars noted that apart from the action-packed script, what set DuniyaPur apart was that they had been paid in a timely manner, a marked departure from the pattern set by the industry at large.

“The check was an added bonus: you get a really good script, and you get money for it, too!” -Ramsha commented-.

“And in a completely professional manner,” Khushhal added.

Like everyone affected by the delay in financial compensation, Khushhal did not mince words when talking about the industry’s trend of cast and crew fighting for their financial rights.

“It’s disrespectful not to pay on time because we show up on time, we show up, we do everything we can, we give 110 percent every day,” Khushhal said. “The least we expect is to be paid on time.”

Meanwhile, Ramsha noted that the problem is so widespread that some actors accept defeat after fighting to get paid. However, she also added that she is not among those who give in to pressure and accept radio silence when it comes to her finances. Ramsha explained that she refuses to work if she does not receive what she is owed, regardless of the impact such action may have on her overall reputation.

“Some actors don’t even get paid for a year or two and that’s why they give up,” he said. “It’s so sad that they put up with all this stuff. I mean, when it comes to me, either I tell them I’m overdue or I just don’t show up on set!”

Ramsha’s co-star Khushhal admitted that while not coming to work was not ideal, in some cases actors had no other option if they wanted to make their voices heard.

“It’s not the right way to do it, you should show up on set, but they’re putting a lot of pressure on you. We’re showing up, we’re doing everything we can. You bow once and it becomes a pattern.” “.

Adding a matter-of-fact tone to the conversation, Ramsha added, “Plus, I gotta pay my bills, man!”

The recent statements by Ramsha, Khushhal and Nadia serve to underline the problematic trend and derogatory impact of delayed financial compensation. It remains to be seen if such public statements encourage others to come forward and bring about change in the entertainment industry.