KUALA LUMPUR: Silver screen legend Datuk Rosnani Jamil, 88, has called on producers to pay veteran stars "their true worth" instead of the paltry sums many of them receive today.
In a Harian Metro report yesterday, she revealed that some producers offered veteran stars a mere RM1,000 for one drama episode.
"As one who has been in the entertainment industry for six decades, I would certainly say 'no' to such pay.
"The sad truth is many veteran artistes are badly underpaid despite their immense contributions to the film industry — some only get RM50 to RM60 for a drama episode," said Rosnani.
She was speaking at the launch of her English language autobiography, From Sungai Geringging To The City Of London: An Intimate Portrait Of A Movie Star, at Pustaka Raja Uda in Shah Alam.
"Getting paid RM70 to RM100 a day is a pittance compared to the tens of thousands of ringgit that top actors get paid," said Rosnani, adding that "things must change".
"It is high time for all veterans to get their recognition in terms of good remuneration for the projects they are involved in."
On another note, Rosnani hoped that more Malaysians would get to know about her journey and that of her fellow veteran stars in the autobiography which was translated into English by Mariam Ash'ari Becker.
The book was launched by Yayasan Budi Malaysia chairman Tan Sri Dr Rais Yatim.
A total of 500 copies are currently being sold online at RM150.
Rosnani's Malay language autobiography Dari Sungai Geringging Ke Kota London was published in 2019 with 1,000 copies.