From Erica Fernandes to Upasana Singh: TV stars expose the industry’s dark side

The glitz and glamour of the television industry often mask a far harsher reality. Behind the camera, actors face deep-seated systemic issues. From predatory casting demands to financial instability, the “shining” world of television has a dark underbelly. These first-hand accounts reveal the struggles of being an artist in an environment that frequently prioritises ego over human dignity and fair labour practices.

Erica Fernandes, known for 'Kuch Rang Pyar Ke Aise Bhi', shared a harrowing encounter with a casting coordinator. She revealed that the production house pressured her to meet while she was emotionally vulnerable. Sensing predatory intent, Erica recalled how he drove her towards a private location and asked about her comfort with “bare-body scenes.”

Playing along to expose his plan, she eventually confronted him inside the car. Speaking to ETimes, Erica said, “I held him by the neck and told him that I knew what he was trying to do.” She warned him further, saying, “If he had shot the encounter, I would have made things difficult for him.”

Ankit Siwach, known for 'Manmohini', spoke out in 2025 about gatekeeping within the industry. He pointed out a drastic shift in behaviour from Bollywood insiders towards television actors attempting to transition into films.

“They change their behaviour drastically when television actors enter the film industry,” he told ETimes. This bias, Ankit said, creates an invisible wall for talented professionals, proving that success in one medium does not guarantee respect in another. The struggle for acceptance remains a significant hurdle for TV actors.

Upasana Singh, best known for 'The Kapil Sharma Show', revealed the struggles of the common artist in an interview with ANI. As a CINTAA official, she highlighted how some actors earn barely “₹1,200 a year” and often work only a few days each month.

She added that even from these small payments, “25 percent is deducted,” and salaries are often delayed by up to 120 days. “Sometimes, they don’t even have money for medical expenses,” she noted. Upasana stressed that while “the common man thinks it’s a glamorous life,” the reality is often heartbreaking—one she now actively works to change.

Actor Vishal Aditya Singh of 'Kullfi Kumarr Bajewala' described the television industry as “bahut khokla” (very hollow). He compared the treatment of TV actors to that of labourers, revealing how production teams often force actors to wait for up to 15 hours.

In an interview with ETimes, Vishal spoke about the mindset behind such treatment: “I have heard conversations where they have stated that ‘bitha ke rakho isko’.” He also highlighted the loneliness behind the glamour, warning that “the price to pay is always too much” when shortcuts are taken. According to him, “saamne insaan alag hota hai aur peeth peechhe alag.”

]Sonal Vengurlekar of 'Yeh Hai Chahatein' exposed the industry’s failure to pay artists on time. In 2020, she faced a severe financial crisis after production houses refused to clear her dues amounting to lakhs. She revealed that some producers even blocked her number to avoid payment.

Sonal famously shared that she had to rely on her make-up artist for financial support. Calling out the “industry’s failure to pay on time,” her story highlighted the lack of financial security for actors, showing that even popular performers struggle to receive their hard-earned money.