In the beginning of cinema there were studios and everybody was hired by the studios at a pay of a few hundred rupees montlhy. That was the only way to get into show business. Typically two to five year contract was signed and you were not allowed to work for anybody else. If another studio wanted you they had to borrow you. After the Second World War lots of money came into the movie business and lots of producers lured many well known stars to become freelance. We have been living with the star system since then.

Now You Know!