After Hollywood, Bollywood fights 'unfair' contracts - BBC News

Screenwriters in one of the world's largest film industries say they want better working conditions.

15 hours agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Bollywood writers say the harsh clauses in their contracts affect their creativityBy Cherylann MollanBBC News, MumbaiWriting is a lonely business, and for many in India's Bollywood, not a profitable one.

Unless a screenwriter lands a big break - a successful film where they also get credit. But until then, money and opportunity are often in short supply.

A major reason, writers say, is the "harsh contracts" they have to sign, which they allege are designed to protect the interests of the producer.

"Most contracts have arbitrary termination clauses and offer paltry fees, especially to newcomers," says Anjum Rajabali, a senior member of the Screenwriters Association (SWA) - the Indian equivalent of the Writers Guild of America (WGA) - which has more than 55,000 members across the country.

"They also don't pay writers for reworking drafts and give producers the right to decide whether a writer should be credited for their work or not," Mr Rajabali says, adding that some contracts even ban writers from approaching the union if there's a dispute with the producer.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-67758156?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=KARANGA

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