Television industry professionals had better watch out - especially when flying out and in of the country. The eagle eye of the Customs is watching you. Sometime back TV’s czarina Ekta Kapoor was stopped at Mumbai’s Chatrapati Shivaji International Airport and asked to cough up fines and duties for goods she was bringing back from Bangkok.
Earlier this week, the Bangkok Bug struck again. TV’s comedians Swapnil Joshi and VIP were halted by Mumbai’s Customs authorities and frisked. They were each found to have Rs 100,000 in cash on them. An unidentified lady – who was traveling with them - also had cash stashed on her.
Their celebrity status notwithstanding, the Customs officials asked them to pay fines even as they explained that they had no idea about the amount of currency they were allowed to bring back into the country and that the money they had on them was compensation for a performance at a party in Bangkok. Almost 50 per cent of each of their earnings was impounded by the officials. Both were repentant.
However, there is a lesson in this for other TV actors who go down to Bangkok to earn some easy cash. Especially, from star struck fans or event managers who are willing to pay them appearance or performance fees. Ask for the payment to be made into your account. Don't carry large amounts of cash with you, when coming back in. Remember that the Customs have caught on to your game and are keeping a sharp lookout for you.
It’s better to be clean and safe, rather than to be sorry later.