“CINTAA advocates upholding the dignity of all women and hence has put in place all the necessary checks and balances at the work spots” General Secretary, CINTAA

Going by the kind of unrest in the film industry today, Approach Bollywood Consulting Editor Ashish Mitra talks to members of the managing committee, CINTAA to get its views on the same.

A lowdown:

Could you’ll tell us a little about CINTAA and its activities?

As you know that CINTAA was established in the year 1958. Earlier it was named as Cine Artistes’ Association. Later, in 1997, with the advent of Television and private channels, the name was changed to CINTAA (Cine & TV Artistes’ Association).

Our main aim is to nurture a feeling of fraternity and unity among its members and to regulate their professional relations with their employers; we also promote and encourage high standards of professional conduct and integrity amongst our members and help enhance their skills by holding paid workshops at subsidised rates.

• 
  With reference to our activities, all I can say is that our duty is to primarily mediate in professional disputes arising out of any breach or dispute of the terms of their contracts or agreements between members and producers, directors, studios, TV networks, web networks, employers etc. Our duty is also to endeavour to provide aid against sickness and injury, unemployment, infirmity, old age and death of its members. We also provide legal assistance or advice to members in respect of matters arising out of or incidental to, their employment including legal consultancy and other such support services.

CINTAA is one of the strongest unions of the film fraternity. Our ideology is truly secular and it fosters true brotherhood no matter what caste, creed or religion any member belongs to. As the fifth largest member of the International Federation of Actors-Performers Union (FIA) our voices and statements are valued the world over.

What is going in the industry these days?

The News Media, an integral part of the Media & Entertainment Industry has been outrageously vehement these last few weeks in attacking men and women from the Actors fraternity as if they are participants and instigators in an alleged conspiracy that has occupied headlines recently in the public domain. It is important for them to realise that one cannot function as a
self-appointed judge, jury and executioner.

In an attempt to boost viewership ratings, the catastrophic repercussions are ignored. That itself is reason enough for all to seriously introspect and put an end to the ill-informed debates and personal opinions being voiced by all and sundry. 

What role has CINTAA played in these circumstances?
Without prejudice, the Cine & TV Artists Association (CINTAA), which represents the Actors community for over six decades, thought it befitting to break its silence in retaliation to those who are out to defame and slander its members. 

As a fraternity, we too want a fair investigation but till such time that the truth is not unearthed, a person’s reputation should not be maligned, their livelihood should not be snatched away, their self-esteem should not be trampled upon and their integrity should not be questioned.

Actors are cultural ambassadors of this great Nation and the country’s core values are shared through them with the rest of the world.


Any comments on this by CINTAA?
For us it is heartening to say that many of our actors/actresses have been a recipients  of the Padma Shri/Padma Bhushan  awards coupled with many National and International citations. We belong to an intelligent, respectful and educated class and our body of work in the world of Entertainment stands second to none even in the Global Arena. To add, some members from our community are also members of Parliament and to defame the whole community is far from acceptance.

Your comments on Rhea and Kangana Ranaut?

CINTAA, very strongly advocates upholding the dignity of all women and hence has put in place all the necessary checks and balances at the work spots. Any instances of disrespect to our female colleagues are a matter of serious concern and we do adopt taking the severest of actions and punishments to the offenders. Pertinent to add that the Me-too movement that emerged for sexual abuse last year has been very appropriate. 

Interesting We, therefore reiterate that the industry for the larger part is a safe haven and yes, we would be the first to acknowledge that like in any other sector, there may exist some bad elements and by recognising and weeding them out, we are constantly looking to improve ourselves.