Bollywood Foreign Actress Work Visa Issues; Mumbai Goa Rave Party | Sexual Abuse | Director said- compromise with the producer and co-actor: The pain of a foreign woman who came to become an artist; fear of being blacklisted if she opens her mouth

Joanna Ashka, who came to India from Poland with the dream of becoming an actress, has shared her pain in an interview given to Dainik Bhaskar.

Poland based actress Joanna Ashka, who was working in India, came to Kerala to study. There she started getting film offers. However, the director said something that shattered her dreams. The director said- I am very excited to do a film with you. I don’t want anything from you, but the producer and co-actor have some different demands. Can you compromise with them?

Joana was stunned after hearing the director’s words. Joana said, ‘Although I had come here to study, I wanted to try my hand in films as well. When the director said that to me, it felt as if all my dreams were shattered in a moment.’

Joanna Aschka.

What happened with Joana is not the first case. Many such incidents happen every day, but we do not get to know about them. There is no association or organization active to protect the interests of foreign artists working in Bollywood. There is no data on how many foreigners are working here. Barring a few names, the artists coming from abroad are lost in obscurity.

When they don’t get work in the industry, some start working in clubs and bars, while others become cheerleaders. Sometimes they are asked to compromise. Sometimes, due to lack of money, some foreign girls get trapped in the quagmire of prostitution.

Joanna said – more wrong happened with the Russian girls working with her
Joana further said, ‘Many Russian junior girls working with me have been treated even worse. Actually, they did not have a working visa. They were working here illegally. They were harassed repeatedly by production houses and coordinators. They were told that you do not have a working visa, so do what is being said. They agreed to the compromise so as not to get into legal trouble.’

Arbitrary things are written in the contract
When Joana came here, a talent agency tried to make her sign a wrong contract, but she escaped. Joana said, ‘It was written in the contract paper that even if you have worked for the whole month, the agency has the right to not pay even a single rupee if it wants.’

Mumbai gang supplies foreigners to the film industry
On the supply of foreigners in the film industry, Cine Workers Association president Suresh Gupta says, ‘Even a common man needs an identity card to enter the government-run film city, but foreigners sneak in freely and nobody is aware of it.

There are some gangs in Mumbai who supply foreigners. These gangs take 80 thousand to one lakh rupees from the production company for one person, but after the work is over they settle the artist for 5 to 6 thousand rupees and pocket the rest of the money.

Foreign girls who come to become actresses are forced to do wrong things
Foreign girls come to India with dreams of becoming actresses, but after coming here, their exploitation begins.

Suresh said, ‘Only one girl out of 100 gets a good position, the rest 99 have to face exploitation. They are made to do wrong things. They cannot even raise their voice because they fear being blacklisted. If they are blacklisted, they do not get work anywhere. They have to go back to their country. Some do not even have enough money to go back, so they are forced to endure exploitation.’

100 people are made to work by showing visas of 10 people, Karan Johar’s production company is also involved
Suresh further said, ‘Many production houses including Karan Johar’s Dharma Company also get work done from foreigners illegally. They get 100 people to work by showing work visas of 10 people. Big production houses make the workers here work for 16 hours without paying them, then how will they leave the foreigners alone?’

The criminal lawyer said- I have received many cases of exploitation of foreign artists
We spoke to Mumbai based lawyer Arbaaz Pathan on this issue. He also admitted that foreign artists are exploited in Bollywood. He has also received many such cases.

He said, ‘Foreign artists are called here by making false promises. They are also given work in one or two films, but the real game starts later. They are burdened with the debt of one film. Then many conditions are put on them in the name of giving them work in the next film.

Many such victims have come to me. Girls are the main victims among them. Not only this, many times they are sent to rave parties in Mumbai and Goa for prostitution, drug parties are also held there.

Modeling agencies trap you by making you sign contracts
Lawyer Arbaaz said that modeling agencies cheat foreign artists the most. He said, ‘Modeling agencies make false promises to foreign artists that they will make them supermodels and give them big roles in films.

They are told that if they stay in touch with certain people and remain interactive, they will get more work and they will become famous. By showing such dreams, they get them to sign a contract for 2-3 years.

Under this conspiracy, the artist is completely trapped in their clutches. When he talks about breaking the contract, money is demanded from him. The artist has no choice.’

There is delay in getting help from police also
Foreign actor Rik, who has been a part of many films and television shows including Bhagam Bhag, Farre and Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, said, ‘There should be an association for us like Indian artists. When we get into trouble, there is no one to protect us.

We are not even able to go to the police. It takes a lot of time to convince them. Due to the language barrier, neither are we able to make them understand our point nor are they able to understand. Also, a lot of money is spent. That is why we try to request those with whom we have a dispute.

To work in India it is important to understand the traditions here
Talent manager Rachna Puri said that foreign artists who come to India with the sole intention of earning money suffer losses. She said, ‘Only those who have a passion for Indian art and culture are able to succeed here. Only they get fame.

Foreign artists should learn the customs of India before working here. Once they understand the traditions here, they will not face any problems in getting work. Also, after coming to India, they should find a support system. If they do not get support, people will not delay in taking advantage. Foreign artists should be full of talent, otherwise their work will be considered cheap here, which will cause losses in the future.

Second, they must have a work visa. If they work illegally, they will be exploited at every turn.

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