Telugu film workers threaten to stop shooting from Monday over wage dispute with producers

Hyderabad: The standoff between the Telugu Film Industry Employees Federation and film producers escalated on Sunday, with thousands of cine workers intensifying their protest for a wage hike.

The federation warned that all film shoots would be halted from Monday if negotiations with producers failed to yield results.

Protest gains momentum

Tension prevailed at the federation’s office as members from all 24 affiliated unions gathered, raising slogans in support of their demands. Federation leaders made it clear that they would allow a couple of days for shoots already scheduled but would stop work entirely if talks broke down.

Demand for equal wage hike across unions

The federation rejected the producers’ proposal for a gradual wage hike, which covered only 13 unions out of 24. Leaders criticised the move as an attempt to break worker unity.

They reiterated their original demand of a 30 per cent wage hike but indicated willingness to negotiate. However, they insisted the hike must apply to all 10,000 daily wage workers, including those earning Rs 2,500 per day, and not just to those making Rs 1,500 or less.

Producers’ gradual hike formula

The Producers’ Guild suggested a phased increase—workers earning under Rs 2,000 per day would get a 15 per cent hike in the first year and 5 per cent in each of the next two years.

Those earning under Rs 1,000 per day would get 20 per cent in Year 1, followed by 5 per cent in the next two years. Federation leaders rejected this as inadequate.

Legal tussle with producer

Producer TG Vishwa Prasad issued court notices to the federation’s president, general secretary and treasurer, seeking Rs 1.5 crore in damages over losses allegedly caused by the strike.

Federation president Anil Vallabhaneni stated they would not work on Prasad’s shoots while the matter was in court.

Meeting with Komatireddy Venkat Reddy planned

The federation plans to meet Cinematography Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy to explain their position and seek government intervention.

Chiranjeevi denies involvement

Meanwhile, actor Chiranjeevi issued a statement on social media denying claims that he had met federation members or promised support for a 30 per cent wage hike.

“This is an industry issue, and no individual, including me, can unilaterally solve it. The Film Chamber is the apex body and will take collective decisions,” he clarified, condemning what he called false and motivated claims.