Actor Faisal Malik, who rose to fame starring as Prahlad in the popular web series “Panchayat,” has now thrown some light on how actors from the show are being paid, giving fans and would-be artists an insight into the behind-the-scenes truth of working on Indian OTT shows.
Recently, in an interview, Malik disclosed that hikes in payments in series such as Panchayat are not a given with every fresh season. He made a clarification that though the success of a show may result in improved pay in the future, there is a system and structure that production houses adhere to.
“They raise your rates in the next season only if your character does well and gets popular,” Faisal confirmed truthfully.
He continued to explain that it’s not so much about the number of lines you have or screen time, but how your character resonates with audiences. The cast and crew pay attention to public reaction, and that comes into play with renegotiating contracts.
Malik’s Prahlad was a favorite with fans, particularly in season two when his emotional arc was very well received by viewers. His work was much appreciated, and it is widely felt that it contributed significantly to gaining him more screen space and prominence in Panchayat Season 3.
Referring to the general work culture of Panchayat, Malik complimented the makers of the show on keeping things real, simple, and close-knit on the set.
“Panchayat is not a common glamour show. Everyone is treated equally on the set. There is a lot of respect for each other.”
This straightforward shot from Faisal Malik is a sign of the changing nature of India’s online entertainment space. While thespians are celebrated on camera, most parts of their journey, such as pay scales, negotiations, and progression of character, continue to be anchored in performance and reception.
As Panchayat 3 gets yet another round of glowing praise, the fans can look forward to seeing even more of Prahlad and maybe even greater things for Faisal Malik in the seasons ahead.
