Mumbai: After several drug allegations against the actors, the Indian producers’ bodies and producers are mulling over including well-defined drug consumption clause in future contracts.
According to a report in Pinkvilla, President of IMPPA, TP Agarwal said, “After the recent episode of drug allegations against actors, there is definitely a need for insertion of a clause in contracts. Once COVID 19 is under control, we will definitely hold a meeting with other producers’ bodies to discuss this issue.”
“If an actor turns out to be an addict or issues are created due to this menace and if he or she gets on the wrong side of the law, the producer will be ruined and therefore there must be such a clause,” said a producer, on the condition of anonymity.
Some film producers’ bodies are also planning to include the prohibition of drug or alcohol clause in artiste/technician contracts.
Meanwhile, lawyers stated that some producers already have this clause in their contracts.
Citing one such contract, Rohini Vakil, legal advisor to film bodies and members of the film fraternity, said, “The clause reads as follows: The artist warrants that he shall not indulge in any acts which are outside the parameters of the law which may be in force in India, including but not limited to the Indian Penal Code 1860 and the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Act 1985.”
The recent drug allegation against several Bollywood celebrities has created unrest in the Hindi film industry.
Even as the international studios have a specific clause stating that if an artiste consumes alcohol or indulges in substance abuse while working, it will be considered as a violation of contract, the Indian film industry does not particularly define this clause in its contracts.
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