‘Star’s driver is paid more than assistant editor’: Gully Boy, Archies, Rocky Aur Rani’s Nitin Baid says he’s had ‘arguments’ over fair salaries

Film editor Nitin Baid, who has worked with acclaimed filmmakers such as Anurag Kashyap, Vikramaditya Motwane, Zoya Akhtar, Neeraj Ghaywan and others, spoke about the difficulties young editors face in an industry that often views them as expendable. He said that newcomers are ‘exploited’ in the industry, and are often made to work without strict ‘out dates’ in their contracts, which forces them to continue working on a project even after their work is over.

Appearing on The Streaming Show alongside fellow editor Antara Lahiri, Nitin said that a major star’s driver is often paid more on film productions than an editor whose work can actually be seen in the final product. He said, “For the newer entrants, if they’re working beyond a certain period of time, I wish they’re given the confidence… It’s not like they’re going to ask for a lot. You’re going to pay the driver of the star much more than what the assistant will get paid. I’ve had arguments where I’ve tried to explain, ‘My assistant is doing something very creative. He’s putting together a first line-up, this is the story you’re going to see (on screen). Why are you afraid of investing in that person, because it’s helping your film become better.”

Also read – As star fees, entourage costs skyrocket, Hindi film industry technicians, writers and actors ‘bleed’: Bollywood’s horror show

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Nitin said that while he has a strict ‘out date’ mentioned in his contracts, newcomers don’t have this luxury. He said that it is taken for granted that editors will continue working on a project while it’s fixed in post-production, even though they’ve already submitted the cut that they feel works the best. In recent weeks, the Indian Express has extensively reported on how below-the-line talent on Hindi film productions is treated, amid rising entourage costs for stars.

Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap said in an interview with Humans of Cinema that an actor once had a special burger driven in for them from a city three hours away. Actor Janhvi Kapoor, on the other hand, told the Indian Express that while she’s mindful of escalating entourage costs, she will fight for her team to get paid a fair wage.

Nitin worked as an assistant editor on Gangs of Wasseypur, before taking on lead editing duties on films such as Masaan and Bhavesh Joshi Superhero. He has also cut acclaimed films such as Raazi, Gully Boy, Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahaani, and has worked on streaming shows such as Dahaad and Made in Heaven. Most recently, he edited Kho Gaye Hum Kahan, Mr & Mrs Mahi, The Archies, and Chandu Champion.

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