Bollywood may look glamorous on screen, but according to BN Tiwari, President of the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE), the reality behind the camera is becoming increasingly difficult for thousands of workers.
Speaking during a media interaction, BN Tiwari raised serious concerns about the condition of daily wage workers in the film industry. He explained that the rapid rise of OTT platforms and vertical films has completely changed the way content is produced. While more projects are being made, he believes the focus has shifted from quality to quantity, putting extra pressure on workers.
BN Tiwari said that people working behind the scenes, including spot boys, light men, art directors and small artists are suffering the most. Many of them are working extremely long hours but are still not receiving proper payments for their efforts.
According to him, several workers are being forced to work for nearly 20 hours a day, while in many cases, they are not even receiving payment for the standard eight-hour shift. He also claimed that workers are facing salary cuts of almost 50-60%, making survival difficult for many families.
BN Tiwari explained that most workers continue to accept these conditions because they have no other option. They need regular work to support their homes and provide food for their families, which leaves them with little room to protest or refuse unfair treatment.
He also highlighted another growing issue in the industry, delayed payments in OTT and digital projects. BN Tiwari said that workers often have to wait for months to receive their money and by the time they try to follow up, producers or companies become difficult to contact.
Warning about the future of the industry, BN Tiwari said the situation could become much worse if changes are not made soon. He expressed concern that continued exploitation of workers may eventually damage the film industry itself and push many people into financial crisis.
He added that FWICE is actively trying to connect with workers, understand their problems and help them receive justice and fair treatment.
