Hyderabad: Film Federation of Telugu cinema announced a complete shutdown of shootings from today after talks with the Film Chamber failed to resolve wage disputes. The Federation said the halt would apply even to films backed by producers who had agreed to the wage hike.
On Friday, the Chamber had directed producers to stop work in protest against the Federation’s demands. With neither side relenting, shooting schedules across Tollywood were expected to halt immediately.
The Producers had agreed to increase wages only if the Federation accepted the conditions they set. Federation leaders insisted on a 30% wage hike without the proposed percentage-based formula, rejecting the producers’ approach. They accused producers of attempting to split certain unions and demanded that People’s Media producer T.G. Vishwa Prasad apologise to film workers.
Telangana minister to mediate in Tollywood wage dispute
In light of the shutdown, Telangana Cinematography Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy planned to meet producers and Federation leaders today. Federation representatives were expected to meet the minister later in the day. The minister said he aimed to resolve the standoff quickly.
Producers expressed hope that the dispute would end soon, allowing shooting schedules to resume. Whether today’s meeting would yield a settlement remained uncertain.
