The life of people living around stars on film sets is not easy. These are called spotboys. Their job is to take care of the facilities of the actors.
From managing the actors, directors, crew members to their food and drinks on the film set, the spotboy has the entire responsibility. He is also called Spot Dada. Although the situation is such that people say that you can become anything, but never become a spotboy.
These people work on the sets for 20 hours each, but there is no guarantee as to when they will receive their fees. Even producers and directors abuse them. Sometimes they even kill. Due to fear of not getting work, these people silently tolerate exploitation and work.
In this episode of Reel to Real, we talked to Spotboy Santosh, Rakesh Dubey and Cine Workers Association head Suresh Shyamlal Gupta to know the condition of Spotboy.
This episode is divided into two chapters. In the first chapter, there is information about Spotboy from getting work to his salary, while in the second chapter, there will be talk about Spotboy's bonding with celebs.
Chapter- 1
Spotboys work 20-20 hours In the 80-90s, spotboys had to work only 8 hours per shift. However now there is no fixed timing. Like actors, they have to work for 20 hours each. Many times the work load is so much that they have to sleep on the set itself.
15-20 spotboys needed for film shooting If a TV show is being shot then 5-6 spotboys are required. At the same time, 15-20 spotboys are present on the set for the shooting of the film. However, this number also increases depending on the project. All these tasks are decided by the spotboy in charge.
Spotboy's payment is stopped throughout the year Spotboy's payment is not fixed. They get Rs 1500 to 2000 for a day's shooting.
Regarding Spotboy's payment, Suresh says – The country has become independent, but it did not benefit them. They do not get payment on time. If he has worked continuously for a month, he gets his salary after 4-6 months. Sometimes payment is stopped for a year. There are many cases in which payment has not been received.
I have seen one or two cases where the production houses initially talk about paying Rs 50,000 as fees, but after the film is made, citing losses, they ask to compromise on a fee of only Rs 25,000.
Most spotboys get work only for 4-5 days in a month. Spotboy's job is not fixed. Sometimes they have work, sometimes they don't. Most spotboys get work only for 4-5 days in a month. All the money is spent on household expenses. One has to work hard to pay for the children's fees and other needs.
Many do not get work for months at a time. Some have not had work for years. Either they have started doing other work or their wives are managing the household expenses.
Santosh said- We struggle a lot, but no one listens to us Santosh says- We struggle a lot, but no one listens to us. I started working in 1998-99. At that time the situation was even worse. Many sets did not have ACs. The risk of artist makeup getting spoiled was highest in summer. In such situations, we used to carry big fans on our shoulders and fan them. He himself was drenched in sweat.
Even today the situation has not improved much. Like on the set, first we have to feed food to the actors and the director. Then when our turn comes, thousands of tasks are assigned to us. It is not even noticed that we are eating. We have to leave everything and do their work first.
Some actors care about us. People like late Siddharth Shukla, Jennifer Winget are in this list. At the same time, stars like Kushal Tandon also get angry over small things.
Suresh Shyamlal Gupta told that there are 3-4 ways for a spotboy to get work. Most of the work is obtained through mouth publicity. No degree is required for this.
People in the film industry are savages, they don't care about safety. Suresh Shyamlal Gupta, head of Cine Workers Association, said – It would not be wrong to call the people of the film industry as monsters. Films worth crores are made, actors' fees also run into crores, but there is no arrangement for the safety of the spotboys. Many times the set gets burnt due to fire and people die. Later this matter is suppressed. The family members do not even get compensation.
Such things cannot come out. There is a lobby of producers in the industry. They try to hide each other's reality. Spotboys do not talk openly on this issue due to fear of not getting work.
The situation is so bad that sometimes production people beat them. The director-producer talks abusively.
Chapter- 2- Now read the stories of Spotboy and his connection with celebs…
On asking for Rs 1700, Jackie Shroff offered to give Rs 70 thousand. Rakesh Dubey had worked with Jackie Shroff. Regarding this he told- I had heard that Jackie Dada always helps everyone a lot. He is a good person at heart.
One day I was in dire need of money. There was no other way. At last, Jackie gathered courage and went to Dada. Told him, Dada, my house is broken and the children are hungry. He asked me how much money I needed. I said not much, just Rs 1700. He told his son to send Rs 70,000 to his house.
I refused saying I don't need that much money. Then the next day his man came to my house, gave me Rs 1900 and made me talk to Jackie Dada.
Rakesh Dubey has worked as a spotboy in Jackie Shroff's film Doodh Ka Karz.
Amitabh Bachchan and Salman Khan helped in lockdown Rakesh told that there are many celebs who help Spotboye in bad times. Like Amitabh Bachchan and Salman Khan did during the lockdown. Regarding this he said- My condition had become very bad during Covid. Talked to many people, news was published at many places, but no one helped.
Once I got help from the union. Help of Rs 3,000 was received from there and ration worth Rs 1.5 thousand was received. It was also revealed that Amitabh Bachchan and Salman Khan had given it. Apart from that, no help came from anywhere.
Got 2 slaps from Sunil Shetty for 1200 rupees Regarding the experience of working with Sunil Shetty, Rakesh said- Once I was working with Sunil Shetty. There was not much money to be paid at that time. I went and stood near Sunil Shetty. He asked why are you standing here. I hesitated and said, Sir, I want Rs 1200. It came out of my mouth that I will give it later. He gave me the money during the shooting in Film City. Then whenever Sunil Shetty Sahab saw me working, he used to come and ask where my money was. I used to say, sir, it is not available now, I will earn it and give it to you.
Similarly, after 20-25 days he called again and asked where the money was. He was very angry at that time. He called me in the vanity van in Filmistan and then asked. I said, right now my work is closed, I will give it. He said then why did you say that I will return it. He pulled me twice and hit me. I thought, no problem, he is a big man and I have also taken the money, it will be fine if I kill him inside the van. At that time I held my ears that I would never take money from anyone.
People used to say- imitates Bachchan: When he became Bhishma, he got respect, borrowed it and made him Shaktiman.
Graphics Source: NavJivanIndia | VaskarAssets
