Boman Irani: ‘Ready to pay Rs 5 crore for writers, but is the script worthy of it?’

Bollywood actor Boman Irani has opened up about a topic that has been the subject of debate across the world: underpaid writers. Only recently Writers Guild of America went on a historic strike for about 148 days for fair pay and many other reasons. While the Indian film industry is far behind in recognising writers as an important component of filmmaking, the discourse has started, and Boman Irani has come out with a rather bold statement about how writers have to become good enough to demand good income for their work.

Speaking to Jist Unscripted, Boman said, “I am going to make a bit of a controversial statement. It is said writers are not getting their due. Yes, they are not. Writers are not paid enough. Yes, they are not. But you have to become worthy. Good writing should become so common that we can’t operate without these guys. You should become worthy. There are fantastic writers but they are few. When you say we are not getting our due… you have to write well. If you give me a watertight script, everything goes well. Even an average director will make a good film if you have a good script. So, the writers become the hero.”

He added, “I am ready to give Rs 5 crore to a writer. But is your script worthy enough of Rs 5 crore? You have to become of that value. Writing is the most difficult department in filmmaking. There are so many different variables in writing that’s maddening. But if you write a good script, you become the hero of the film. It makes the work of the actor easy. He just has to go there, stand, and deliver. It doesn’t come easily. One has to practice like a singer or a musician. They just don’t show up and say, ‘Yes, I will sing.’ They practice. Ask Shreya or Shankar Mahadevan. Writers have to practice, but the problem is that they get frustrated. Indeed, they are not treated well. You have to pay them well. Give them time and respect them. At the same time, writers should also keep their craft good.”

On the work front, Boman Irani will be seen next in Shah Rukh Khan’s Dunki, which will hit screens on December 21.