Singer Zeeshan Rokhri has criticized the low remuneration of actors in Pakistan's film industry, saying he was shocked to learn that veteran actor Moammar Rana was paid only PKR 500,000 for a film role.
Speaking in a recent interview, Rokhri said he learned about Rana's fee while discussing his own payment for a project.
“I had already shared my fee for eight days of work. During the discussion, Sangeeta Ji told me how much they were paying Moammar Ji for the film,” he recalled.
Rokhri said he was disheartened by the amount, considering Rana’s stature in Lollywood.
“When I found out that a star like Moammar Rana was being paid only PKR 500,000, I was deeply disappointed. He is a respected actor, one of Pakistan’s biggest stars, and someone who represents our industry with pride. If we aspire to compete with India, how can our leading actors be paid so little?” he said.
When the interviewer pointed out that Rokhri himself charges around PKR 1.5 million for a single event, he responded by clarifying that his own fee is even higher, and that his concern was about the industry rather than any individual.
“Listen, I actually charge even more than that. We are trying to compete with India, and I’m not criticizing Sangeeta Ji, I respect her a lot. I’m talking about the industry as a whole. If our hero is being paid only PKR 500,000 for a project that’s meant to compete with India, that amounts to only around ?70,000-80,000 in Indian currency. Just compare that with what actors in India are paid,” he responded.
