Telugu film industry hit by strike: What it means for upcoming big-budget films?

New Delhi: Big productions of films and web series have come to a halt in the Telugu film industry after the Telugu Film Industry Employees’ Federation has initiated a strike starting on August 4. Due to the strike, the shooting of films and web series have come to an abrupt halt across the film industry.

The federation decided to go on an indefinite strike after prolonged negotiations with producers over 30 per cent hike in employee pay. According to the federations statement, the producers failed to yield an agreement on wage revisions.

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Telugu Film Industry Employees’ Federation said in a statement, “Starting tomorrow, the federation workers have called for a strike, and all the film shootings will come to a sudden halt.” The film employees have also taken a stand with the federation and stated, “Only attend the shootings of those producers who will agree to their 30 per cent hike demand.”

The strike comes as a major setback for several big-budget, small-budget and mid-budget films and web series in the Telugu film industry as the shootings are halted. The halt of shooting might cause major loses to producers. 

The federation pointed out 24 categories of film workers and pointed out the atagnant pay scales over the past three years stating that no pay hike has severely impacted the livelihoods of more than 10,000 daily wage workers. Additionally, the former general secretary of the federation noted that daily wages have remained unchanged despite the cost of living in Hyderabad has increased. Workers have also demanded for more timely disbursal of wages, further demanding daily settlements rather than delayed payments. The strike decision was made after a meeting of the federation executive committee held on Sunday (August 3).

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The federation has also taken a firm decision by announcing that the film shoots will only resume of producers agree to the revised pay structure.

According to reports, talks between the Telugu Film Producers council, the Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce and the federation have been going on for several months. Producers earlier proposed fiver per cent wage increase which the federation rejected. Producer C Kalyan also pointed out that the strike is a “pressure tactic” and a “month-long production halt could hurt the very daily wage workers they’re trying to support.” He also urged to find a middle ground and begin with negotiations again. However, the outcome of the strike remains uncertain.