Anita Hassanandani reveals shocking pay cut after TV comeback
What's the story
Actor Anita Hassanandani has opened up about the pay cut in the industry after her television comeback. The actor, known for hit shows like Kkavyanjali and Yeh Hai Mohabbatein, returned to the small screen after a four-year break with Suman Indori. In a recent podcast with Hindi Rush, Hassanandani said, "Actors get a lesser amount now, compared to before, because budgets have gone down." She has been active in the industry since the late 1990s.
Pandemic impact
Pandemic's impact on pay scales
Hassanandani further elaborated, "There are so many shows and mediums, and there are actors who are working for less amount, so people think paise bachao." "All of this started post-Covid...due to Covid, there were losses. When I came back, I got less than what my per-day pay used to be." Despite the reduced pay, she accepted the project as her priority was to return to work rather than focus on monetary compensation.
Reality show victory
Victory in reality show 'Chhoriyan Chali Gaon'
Most recently, Hassanandani participated in the reality show Chhoriyan Chali Gaon, hosted by Rannvijay Singha. The show challenged 11 urban female celebrities by placing them in a rural village, where they had to adjust to traditional lifestyles without modern comforts. They were tasked with activities like milking buffaloes, cooking on a chulha (traditional stove), and fetching water from wells. Eventually, Hassanandani emerged as the winner.