Supriya Pathak Contrasts Modern Film Sets with Grueling 80s-90s Conditions
Veteran actress Supriya Pathak has offered a candid and nostalgic glimpse into the stark realities of filmmaking during the 1980s and 1990s, highlighting a dramatic evolution in working conditions within the Indian film industry. In a recent interview, the acclaimed star of 'Khichdi' and numerous cinematic classics detailed how actors of her era frequently operated without even the most basic amenities, relying solely on raw passion to sustain their craft.
The Absence of Basic Necessities on Set
Pathak emphasized that contemporary film sets, with their vanity vans, proper resting areas, and essential facilities, represent a monumental shift from the past. "I feel that the work we did was fundamentally driven by passion," she explained. "The intense passion we harbored for acting and character creation made everything else seem relatively unimportant at the time."
However, she clarified that this perspective gradually changed as the lack of basic necessities became impossible to ignore. "Slowly, we realized these things do matter. You need a place to sit. As women, especially, you must have access to a bathroom," Pathak stated, noting that even today, some shooting locations still fail to provide these fundamental facilities.
A Shift from Passion to Recognizing Necessity
The actress described a collective awakening within the industry. "We slowly started realizing that all these things are basic necessities. We are not speaking from a luxury standpoint but from a necessity standpoint," she asserted. Pathak credits persistent advocacy from actors and crew for instigating change. "Gradually, when everyone began to stand their ground, changes started occurring. Even producers began to understand that yes, these things are absolutely necessary."
She listed essential on-set requirements that were often missing: food, water, tea, and a comfortable place to rest, particularly during shoots in extreme weather. "For an actor, basic facilities are a must. Today, shooting has become considerably more comfortable, no matter the location. It is profoundly different from earlier times when we would literally sit and manage anywhere, in any situation," Pathak reflected.
A Personal Anecdote: Filming 'Mirch Masala' in a Chili Factory
Pathak shared a vivid personal example from the shooting of the cult classic 'Mirch Masala', directed by Ketan Mehta. "In that film, we were all women—around ten of us—shooting in a chili factory. It was a small village and extremely hot," she recounted.
"There was a shed-like area behind the set filled with hay, likely used in the chili cleaning process. Large bundles of hay were stacked there, and we would sit on them the entire day. Sometimes, we would even lie down on them to rest. We were all together there, and sometimes other actors would join us. That was simply the environment back then."
Reflecting on Passion Versus Comfort
Reflecting on that challenging period, Pathak acknowledged that their youth and fervent passion made the hardships more bearable. "At the time, it didn't really bother us—partly because we were young and full of passion. But now, I feel it is not necessary for people to work in those conditions. Today, proper facilities are available. Back then, they were not," she said.
The actress concluded with a note on the industry's progress, "Nowadays, so many facilities are available that seeing all the comfort actors have feels a bit strange. It is a long-overdue victory for necessity over what was once mistakenly considered luxury." Her insights provide a powerful testament to the evolving standards and improved working conditions in Bollywood, marking a significant departure from the grueling realities faced by performers just a few decades ago.
