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Hans India
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hans India
FILM workers to intensify stir as talks on wages fail
Hyderabad: Negotiations between the Film Federation leaders and the Film Chamber ended in a deadlock, with no resolution in sight. Federation president Vallabhaneni Anil Kumar stated that workers would resume shooting only if their wages were increased by 30%. Rejecting the producers' proposed percentage-based hike, Anil Kumar clarified that while they were open to most of the producers' conditions and willing to accept them gradually, the wage hike must be applied equally across all unions. He alleged that producers were attempting to create divisions among certain unions, a move the federation strongly opposes. The federation emphasized that unity among all unions is crucial in this fight. As part of their protest plan, members will hold a demonstration on Sunday at 8:30 a.m., demanding a fair and equal wage increase before any production activities resume. Earlier in the day the Active Producers' Guild at a meeting, ruled out 30% increase in the wages of film workers. Instead they have suggested only 15 percent to 20 percent hike in the first year. The guild convened a media briefing on Saturday, attended by prominent members including Mythri Naveen, Vishwaprasad, Nagavamsi, Sudhakar Cherukuri, Radhamohan, SahuGarapati, SKN, Bapineedu, and Cherry. The discussion focused on the ongoing wage hike demands from film industry workers and the conditions proposed by producers. Producer Cherry stated that while workers have requested a 30% pay hike, producers find such an increase excessive. Instead, they have proposed a tiered increment system. For workers earning below Rs 2,000 per day, producers suggest a 15% hike in the first year, followed by 5% each in the second and third years. Cherry emphasised that four specific conditions have already been put forward, and the demand now is for their strict implementation. Damodar, secretary of the Film Chamber, outlined a slightly different structure: for those earning under Rs 2,000, the proposal remains 15% in the first year, 5% in the second, and 5% in the third. However, for workers earning below Rs 1,000, the first-year hike would be 20%, with no increase in the second year, and 5% in the third. A sticking point in negotiations is that the Film Federation has not yet agreed to the conditions suggested by producers. In particular, the Federation has resisted tying wage increases to the four conditions laid out by the producers. Producers clarified that for small-budget films, existing wages would remain unchanged, but the Federation would still be expected to implement the four agreed-upon conditions. The stalemate highlights the ongoing tension between fair compensation for workers and the financial pressures faced by producers, particularly in smaller film projects. Both sides remain engaged in discussions, but consensus is elusive.
News18
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Chiranjeevi Denies Claims About Supporting Workers Amid Tollywood Strike
Last Updated: The Telugu film industry shuts down as a strike by film workers over wages enters its eighth day. Chiranjeevi denies meeting workers, saying only the Film Chamber can resolve it, The Telugu film industry is facing a complete production shutdown as the strike by film workers enters its eighth day, bringing all shooting schedules to a standstill. At the centre of the industry-wide pause is a dispute over wage revisions between the Telugu Film Employees Federation and producers. Now, megastar Chiranjeevi has stepped into the conversation to firmly refute claims that he met with workers and offered assurances on their demands. In a strongly worded statement on social media, the actor dismissed such reports as 'baseless" and 'unacceptable," stressing that no individual can make unilateral promises on an industry matter of this scale. Addressing the matter on X (formerly known as Twitter), Chiranjeevi wrote, 'It has come to my attention that some individuals claiming to be the members of the Film Federation have gone to media falsely claiming that I have met them and given an assurance that their demands regarding 30% wage hike etc., shall be met and that I will be starting shooting very soon." He added, 'I wish to set the record straight that I have not met anyone from the federation. This is an industry issue and no individual including me can give any unilateral assurances to solve any problem one way or the other." Highlighting the role of the industry's governing body, he stated, 'The film chamber is the apex body of the Telugu Film Industry and only the Film chamber as a collective will engage in discussions with all concerned and arrive at a just solution. Until such time, making such false claims is unacceptable. I condemn all such baseless and motivated claims to create confusion among all stakeholders. Please note." It has come to my attention that some individuals claiming to be the members of the Film Federation have gone to media falsely claiming that I have met them and given an assurance that their demands regarding 30% wage hike etc., shall be met and that I will be starting shooting…— Chiranjeevi Konidela (@KChiruTweets) August 9, 2025 Background to the strike The Telugu Film Employees Federation announced an indefinite strike after prolonged talks with producers failed to resolve disputes over wage revisions. Representing 24 categories of workers, the federation is demanding a 30 per cent hike in daily wages, pointing to stagnant pay scales over the last three years and rising living costs in Hyderabad. More than 10,000 daily wage workers are affected, with the federation also calling for daily wage payments instead of delayed settlements. A former general secretary noted that wages have not changed despite the increasing cost of living. The federation has warned it will organise a protest march from its office to the Film Chamber on August 10 if negotiations fail to move forward. It has made it clear that film shoots will only resume if producers give written assurance agreeing to the revised pay structure. Talks between the Telugu Film Producers Council, the Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce, and the federation have been ongoing for several months. Producers had earlier proposed a 5 per cent increase, which the federation rejected as inadequate. While opposing the strike, producer C Kalyan acknowledged its seriousness, calling it a 'pressure tactic." He warned, 'A month-long production halt could hurt the very daily wage workers they're trying to support," and urged both sides to return to the table and find a compromise. First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hans India
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hans India
Vishnuvardhan's memorial removed overnight at Abhiman Studio
Bengaluru: In a move that has sparked widespread anger among fans, the memorial of legendary Kannada actor Dr. Vishnuvardhan at Abhiman Studio in Kengeri was removed overnight, following a directive from the Karnataka High Court. The memorial, built at the site where the actor was laid to rest after his demise in 2009, had been a long-cherished spot for fans who had been demanding it be preserved and officially declared a monument. Vishnuvardhan, who acted in over 200 Kannada films during his illustrious 35-year career, is remembered as one of the most beloved figures in Kannada cinema. Officials reportedly carried out the removal in the dead of night to avoid public resistance. The action has triggered outrage, with fans criticizing the government, the police department, and the Film Chamber for failing to protect the memorial. Meanwhile, in Mysuru, a separate 2.75-acre Vishnuvardhan memorial has already been constructed. The site houses a museum showcasing his awards, personal belongings, costumes, and over 600 rare photographs, along with a statue of the actor. The memorial also features a gallery chronicling his cinematic journey, an auditorium, and classrooms. The foundation stone for the project was laid by former chief minister B.S. Yediyurappa on September 15, 2020. While the Mysuru memorial stands as a tribute to his legacy, the removal of the original resting place at Abhiman Studio has left many fans deeply hurt, with calls growing for the government to reconsider its decision and ensure the preservation of the site where the actor was cremated.
Indian Express
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
No problems with Shine Tom Chacko, respect him more now: Vincy Aloshious
Malayalam film actor Vincy Aloshious on Tuesday said she no longer has any problems with her colleague Shine Tom Chacko and instead, she 'respects him more' now as he has changed. Her remarks came in response to a reporter's query as to whether they both have any problems with each other now, following Aloshious' accusations of drug use against Chacko in April this year. The query was put to the actors during a press meet to announce the release of their film — Soothravakyam — on July 11. While Shine Tom Chacko answered the query with a question of his own — 'Do you see any problems between us by looking at us?' and said that if it cannot be seen, then there probably are no issues. Vincy Aloshious on the other hand directly said 'no' and then went on to explain why she had raised the issue back then. Also Read | 'I called out to dad, but he wasn't responding': Shine Tom Chacko on fatal crash, says he got 30 stitches, cracked his back Aloshious said that Chacko was the first person or actor she had told that she wants to become an artiste and his rise in the profession has influenced her too in her career. So when she decided to do the film with him, she had this feeling 'that I am working and sharing a space with someone I admired'. 'So that experience (of alleged drug use on set), which may not have been deliberate, from such a person, was unexpected,' she said, in response to which Chacko said, 'I too did not expect it. If you were hurt, then I am sorry.' Vincy Aloshious said that now she has 'more respect' for Shine Tom Chacko in view of the 'change in him' as he 'admitted' what he had done. Aloshious had in April lodged a complaint with the Film Chamber alleging 'inappropriate behaviour' by Chacko under the influence of drugs on the sets of the film. She had also approached the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) regarding the misconduct on the set of the film Soothravakyam, but did not lodge a police complaint. Just after Vincy Aloshious' allegations, Shine Tom Chacko was arrested and then released on bail in a drugs case after he allegedly fled from a hotel here when a District Anti-Narcotic Special Action Force (DANSAF) team carried out a raid there. Also Read | Vincy Aloshious expresses disdain for working with actors who use drugs: 'Why create an uncomfortable workspace?' The actor has been booked under section 238 (causing disappearance of evidence) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and sections 27 (drug consumption) and 29 (abetment and criminal conspiracy) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, in connection with that incident. Subsequently, on June 6, while on his way to Bengaluru with family, Shine Tom Chacko's vehicle met with an accident in which his father died and the actor's left arm suffered a fracture. The actor was not driving the car.
India Today
19-06-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Why no action against threats: Supreme Court to Karnataka, film body on Thug Life
The Supreme Court of India on Thursday pulled up the Karnataka government and the State Film Chamber for not acting against those who threatened violence over the release of actor-politician Kamal Haasan's film Thug Life. While recording the state's affidavit stating it had imposed no restriction on the film and would provide full security if the producers chose to release it, the court questioned why action was not taken against those who had issued the mob is attacking you, then you should approach the police. You are a powerful body,' the bench told the Film Chamber, which had earlier written to the producers seeking an apology after a group of 500 people stormed its office. The Chamber later claimed it had acted under pressure and did not intend to obstruct the bench, which was hearing petitions filed by the producer and a third party seeking guidelines on hate speech and threats of violence, said freedom of expression could not be curtailed by claims of hurt sentiments. 'Should stand-up comics be stopped? Should poets not recite poems?' the court asked, emphasising that a diverse country like India cannot allow mobs to dictate what can or cannot be released. The petitioner argued that the state's affidavit granted 'king-like immunity' to those threatening arson, pointing out that it made no mention of initiating prosecution. He cited earlier rulings where the Supreme Court had held states accountable for failing to protect filmmakers and theatre counsel for the Sahitya Parishad, which intervened in the matter, stated the organisation believed the actor's comments had hurt public sentiment but assured the court it would never support violence. The court recorded this assurance and asked both the state government and the Parishad to abide by their the petitioner demanded compensation for the filmmaker, the bench refused, saying, 'You think Rs 20 or Rs 30 lakh will make a difference to him?' The producer claimed losses of up to Rs 30 crore. It concluded that it would not be appropriate to issue new guidelines or enter into rival contentions, given the producer's satisfaction with the government's Karnataka government maintained that the dispute arose between the producer and the Film Chamber, and the producer had voluntarily withheld the release. The court reiterated that the state was now bound by its affidavit and urged all parties to act with restraint.'This is a diverse country. If sentiments are constantly cited, nothing will ever be released. The state must act proactively against such threats. You cannot take law into your own hands,' the bench said.
