‘You Don’t Even Get Tea or Coffee’: Panchayat’s Sunita Rajwar Exposes Harsh Reality of the Entertainment Industry

Actress Sunita Rajwar, best known for playing Kranti Devi in the popular web series Panchayat, has opened up about the stark inequalities that exist behind the glamour of the entertainment industry.

Speaking candidly about her experiences, Rajwar revealed that there is a clear hierarchy on film and television sets, where lead actors enjoy privileges and comforts that are often denied to supporting and background artists.

According to the actress, the difference in treatment between lead performers and character actors mirrors the social inequalities seen in everyday life.

“If someone is playing the lead role, everything revolves around them. They get better rooms, personal staff and special attention. But if you're playing a small role or appearing in just one scene, even the spot boys may not acknowledge you,” she said.

Actor Jatin Negi, who joined the conversation, shared his own struggles from the early days of his career. Recalling a difficult phase when he desperately needed money, he said he often worked as a background artist and experienced discrimination firsthand.

“There were times when I felt lucky if someone simply asked whether I wanted food. Even getting a cup of tea or coffee was difficult,” Negi said.

He further revealed that artists are often divided into A, B and C categories on sets, especially when it comes to facilities and food arrangements.

“In India, sets are divided into different categories. Television stars and lead actors fall into the A category, while background artists have separate dining areas and fewer facilities. Seeing this kind of discrimination breaks my heart,” he added.

Negi also claimed that such practices are common even in major production houses. Lead actors often spend time with directors and key crew members, while supporting artists remain isolated, creating an uncomfortable atmosphere on set.

The actors highlighted that character artists frequently struggle to earn respect despite delivering strong performances in films, web series and television shows. Negi noted that only a handful of established names, such as veteran actors, receive the same recognition as lead stars.

They also discussed disparities in amenities. While lead actors in big-budget productions may be provided with multiple vanity vans, character artists often receive limited support. Background performers, meanwhile, are sometimes required to share a single vanity van with seven or eight others.

Rajwar and Negi emphasized that the level of respect and comfort an artist receives often depends on the size of their role rather than their talent or contribution to a project.

Another issue raised was delayed payments. Negi claimed that many artists have to wait up to 90 days to receive their remuneration, adding to the challenges faced by those working behind the scenes in the entertainment industry.

Their revelations have sparked discussions about workplace equality, respect for supporting artists, and the need for better treatment of all performers within the film and television industry.

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