Telugu film industry strike: Committee to mediate, says Komatireddy Venkat Reddy

A government-formed committee will mediate between producers and film workers amid a strike over wage hikes. Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy urged compromise, aiming to resume film production by Wednesday

Hyderabad: Cinematography Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy on Monday said a committee would be constituted to hold talks with both film producers and the Telugu Film Industry Employees Federation (TFIEF) to work out an amicable settlement.

Workers’ unions have been staging protests for the past week, demanding a 30 per cent wage hike, alleging that wages had not been increased in the last three years. The Minister held a meeting with film producers and Federation representatives at the Secretariat. After the meeting, he expressed hope that film shootings could resume from Wednesday in the State.

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He urged both producers and cinema workers to show flexibility and end the ongoing strike.
The Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce had offered to increase wages by 15 to 20 per cent, but with conditions such as 12-hour workdays. Workers’ unions rejected the proposal and insisted on a 30 per cent hike without the additional conditions.

Venkat Reddy said the interests of both workers and small producers must be protected. “The government stands with workers, but they must also consider the concerns of small producers. Only dialogue can lead to a solution,” he said.

Telangana State Film Development Corporation Chairman Dil Raju stressed the need for unity within the industry and urged collective support for the government’s vision.