Will producers go on strike from June 1? Crucial meeting today to iron out differences

The Kerala Film Producers Association (KFPA), which announced a shutdown of film-related activities on June 1 to protest the industry's escalating losses, is steadfast in its decision to go on strike. KFPA secretary B Rakesh said there had been no change in the association's plans and shrugged off the differences in opinion from a certain section of producers. The association met in Kochi on Monday and decided go ahead with the strike on June 1.

Rakesh told Onmanorama that the union would hold a token strike soon to strengthen the producers' demand," said Rakesh. Read Also: Kerala Film Chamber supports producers' body strike, asks Antony Perumbavoor to take down Facebook post

He brushed off the allegations by prominent producers like Antony Perumbavoor and Sandra Thomas, who expressed unhappiness over the move to go on an indefinite strike, shutting down all activities in the film industry. Antony, in a recent post, had claimed that the association vice-president G Suresh Kumar announced a strike without consulting key players.

Though Antony received considerable support from several sources, including prominent Mollywood actors, the association backed its vice-president, stating that the decision was taken after a joint meeting of stakeholders. 

Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA) president Sibi Malayil, however, expressed concerns over the strike and said the association would strongly communicate the issue with the producers association. According to him, the strike will have huge consequences within the industry and affect several daily-wage workers' livelihoods.

Huge Losses
Film producers like Venu Kunnappilly pointed to the huge losses caused by heavy pay packages for actors and said it was high time such practices were prevented. He also said filmmakers needed to be more aware of production rates. He said first-time producers are mostly affected by these practices due to their inexperience.

He also said actors who now demand high remuneration should not forget film producers who trusted them in the past and made them big names today. "There are some actors who have forgotten their roots. They should at least remember those producers who made them what they are today," he said.

K Vijayakumar, president of the Film Exhibitors Union Of Kerala, said the decision to call a strike was necessary since the film industry was going through a negative phase. "The double taxation, too, is eating into our revenue, which is affecting everyone in the industry. We support the Kerala Film Producers' Association in their plan to go on an indefinite strike," he said.

Why are producers being so adamant?
Meanwhile, a young actor who did not wish to be named claimed that producer associations should not be adamant about bringing down actors' pay packages. He said if producers are concerned about high salaries, then they should find actors who are willing to work for a smaller amount. "Scouting new talent and bringing more young people to the forefront will benefit the industry. Producers, who are concerned about high pay packages, should sort this issue with such measures," he said.

He also dismissed the allegations about inflated box-office numbers. "It's strange that the producers are making such claims given that the common man can track down real-time numbers from various sources today. The argument that the box-office numbers are inflated is misinformation and is dangerous," he said.
Meanwhile, the Kerala Film Producers Association has written a letter to the Kerala Film Chamber seeking support for the strike.