Vandana Gupte backs artistes' pay-hike demand in row over Marathi play Aamne Samne

The Marathi play "Aamne Samne" has been drawing packed houses for the past few months and audiences have liked it. A backstage dispute has now come out in the open, splitting the theatre community into two camps. Senior actress Vandana Gupte has given her frank view on the matter.

The row began with the sudden removal of two artistes from the play, Rohan Gujar and Ketaki Vilas. Both had asked the producers for higher fees. They felt the play was doing well and that their effort had contributed to it, so their fees should go up a little.

Producers Leena Bhagwat and Mangesh Kadam removed them from the play. Rohan and Ketaki allege they were dropped overnight merely for asking for a raise.

Bhagwat and Kadam also put out a video giving their side. They say the demand for higher fees was made not once but three times, and that this forced them to take the harsh decision. After the allegations and counter-allegations, many Marathi artistes began to voice their own opinions.

Gupte has posted a video on the matter, which has gone viral. In it she tries to explain both sides. Addressing Leena and Mangesh, she says, "Leena and Mangesh, I saw your video. You were crying, and I felt very bad seeing that. We are all artistes, and we have been through this too. I remember my fee for one show was Rs 80. To get it raised to Rs 100, I went to Mohan Kaka 15 times. Then, at the 100th show, he raised my fee."

She continues, "You two are also artistes, you should understand these things. If you want to close the play, that is fine, but telling them suddenly that today is your last show is not right. If someone insulted you like this tomorrow, would you accept it? Mangesh, would you accept it? This should not be done."

Gupte also counselled Rohan and Ketaki. She said, "As artistes, we have every right to ask for a raise. But making separate demands three times is also not right. You should have thought a little."

She added, "Everyone has needs, and everyone's status keeps rising. Even after working for 50 years, I am afraid to ask for a raise myself. But today's youngsters want to ask for what is theirs, and there is nothing wrong in that. Everyone feels that if the play is succeeding, we have a share in it. But this kind of argument and quarrel is not good."

Finally, Gupte said, "I am saying this as an artiste, not as a producer. Please do not let this dispute grow like this." Several artistes have backed her after the video. Many people commented that she put both sides' case exactly right. It remains to be seen how the dispute is resolved.