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Indian Express
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Standoff in Tamil cinema disrupts several productions, High Court calls for mediation
A long-simmering conflict in the Tamil film industry, between producers and technicians, reached a crucial moment on Monday as the Madras High Court declined to issue interim relief against a non-cooperation protest launched by the technicians. In the conflict between the Tamil Film Producers Council (TFPC) and the Film Employees Federation of South India (FEFSI), Justice K Kumaresh Babu, hearing a civil suit filed by TFPC against FEFSI, suggested that both parties recommend names of retired High Court judges who could be appointed as neutral mediators. The court has given until Wednesday for both sides to submit names. The producers had sought a stay on the FEFSI's protest, which has disrupted multiple ongoing film productions in the state. The FEFSI, an umbrella body representing 24 technicians' and film workers' unions, has been at loggerheads with the TFPC since the expiry of a three-year MoU on March 9. The MoU governed wages, working conditions, and cooperative norms between producers and technicians. In court, FEFSI's legal counsel, advocate G Mohanakrishnan, painted a stark picture of inequality in the Tamil film industry. 'Top actors are paid Rs 300 crore per movie, while technicians struggle to get even Rs 3,000 a day,' he argued, calling the situation untenable and exploitative. He further alleged that TFPC was attempting to undermine the livelihoods of Tamil Nadu-based technicians by importing workers from other states to continue film shoots stalled by the impasse. The producers' side, represented by advocate Krishna Ravindran, countered that TFPC comprises mainly small-budget filmmakers — not the few mega-budget producers driving exorbitant salaries for actors. He emphasised that TFPC had followed a consistent practice of signing MoUs with FEFSI every three years and was willing to renew the agreement, but was met with hostility and allegations instead. Central to the producers' grievance is the charge that FEFSI's protest has brought the industry to a standstill. 'Ongoing production works have been stalled, resulting in major financial losses,' said Ravindran. 'Technicians affiliated with FEFSI are refusing to cooperate, jeopardising the livelihood of hundreds of others involved in film projects,' he alleged. In April, the federation issued a circular to all its 23 affiliated unions, asking them not to cooperate with TFPC members. The move came after FEFSI accused TFPC of secretly backing a rival technicians' association — Tamil Nadu Thiraipada Thozhilalargal Sammelanam — in what it believes is an effort to splinter the organised workforce. The producers deny any link to the new association. 'TFPC has no involvement in setting up any rival union,' said Ravindran. But he did acknowledge that the deadlock had pushed some producers to explore working with a separate body, the Tamil Film Active Producers Association (TFAPA), as a workaround to continue stalled projects. As the impasse deepens, the Tamil Nadu government has taken note. Minister for Information and Publicity, M P Saminathan, is expected to step in to mediate talks, underlining the growing public and political pressure to resolve the conflict. In court, Justice Babu was firm in his observation that he could not compel FEFSI to resume work with TFPC, given that the binding MoU had lapsed. However, he did note that individual producers could pursue legal action if existing work agreements had been violated. He also expressed concern that both sides risk further erosion of goodwill and financial damage if the matter is not resolved swiftly. With both FEFSI and TFPC expected to submit their recommended names for a retired High Court judge to mediate, the coming week will be critical for whether this is going to be a step toward reconciliation or a deeper institutional rupture in Tamil cinema's labour landscape.
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
Madras HC suggests appointing retired judge for mediation in producers-FEFSI tussle
CHENNAI: The Madras High Court has suggested appointment of a retired judge of the court for holding mediation in the ongoing tussle between the Tamil Film Producers Council (TFPC) and the Federation of Film Employees of South India (FEFSI), following the non-cooperation stir by the latter. Justice K Kumaresh Babu, while hearing a petition filed by TFPC seeking interim stay on the non-cooperation protest, asked both parties to submit the names of retired HC judges of their choice so the court can choose them for appointment as mediator. Subsequently, the judge posted the matter to Wednesday for further hearing. Senior counsels G Mohana Krishnan appeared for FEFSI and Krishna Ravindra represented TFPC. The producers council alleged that ongoing film production works were stalled due to the strike announced by FEFSI, with which 24 unions representing technicians and other employees of the industry are affiliated, resulting in non-completion of production works on time, incurring a huge loss to the producers. However, the counsel for FEFSI contended that the memorandums of understanding (MoUs) entered into with the producers in 2022 have lapsed and expired on March 9, 2025. The producers council has to sign fresh MoUs regarding remuneration and working conditions. He also stated that the technicians are paid less than Rs 3,000 per day by the producers, whereas, the lead actors are being paid around Rs 300 crore for a movie.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Cinema technicians, producers clash; HC suggests mediation
Chennai: The Film Employees Federation of South India (FEFSI) has moved the Madras high court against the Tamil Nadu Film Producers Council (TFPC), seeking to stop the engagement of technicians from other states, which affects the livelihood of its members. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Admitting the plea on Monday, Justice K Kumaresh Babu suggested that the association recommend a retired judge of the court to mediate the issue. Representing FEFSI, advocate G Mohanakrishnan submitted that TFPC is trying to snatch the livelihood of Tamil Nadu technicians by engaging people from other states. Appearing for TFPC, advocate Krishna Ravindran contended that the association followed the practice of entering into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) once every three years with FEFSI regarding the fixation of wages. The last MoU, signed in 2022, ended on March 9, 2025. FEFSI alleged that TFPC promoted a rival association of technicians, the Tamil Nadu Thiraipada Thozhilalargal Sammelanam. Recording the submissions, the court observed that it could not direct the members of FEFSI to work with TFPC since the MoU expired on March 9. The court then suggested that both parties resolve their differences across the table by recommending names of two retired judges of the high court who could be appointed as mediators to resolve the issue. TFPC is allegedly taking steps to establish a new labour union as an alternative to FEFSI. This move comes after years of tension between the producers and FEFSI, which represents various film industry workers, including technicians, crew members, and other essential staff. As the existing agreement between the two parties was officially cancelled, producers have invited interested film workers to join the upcoming labour union.
