India’s film industry is among the largest in the world. It releases around 2,000 films every year and attracts a steady band of actors hoping to make their fortune. Most of them head to Mumbai where the hugely popular Hindi film industry, also known as Bollywood, is based.

But it’s an uphill battle. On the surface, glamour, fame, and pomp form its biggest appeal, but underneath, harsh prejudices, fierce competition, and toxic rivalry run deep.

So, what are the positives and the pitfalls that aspiring actors endure? And how has the journey been like for those who’ve earned name and fame? In this edition of WorklifeIndia, we discuss Bollywood and its hidden cost for stardom.

Presenter: Devina Gupta

Contributors: Adil Hussain, Bollywood actor; Anupama Chopra, film critic; Sahiba Bali, actor