Prominent Producer Allu Aravind says, “The workers’ unions should adopt a three-tier wage structure to reflect the realities of our industry:
- Big-budget films – driven by top directors and leading stars.
- Mid-budget films – with moderate resources and mid-tier actors.
- Small-budget films – which are struggling to survive due to financial constraints and limited release opportunities and the increased wages. OTTs are also not interested in this category except few and only after pre-viewing.
This will ensure fairness without stifling creativity. Many mid-level heroes are already open to working on all revenue-sharing basis with credible producers, as they face some of the most challenging times in their careers. A flexible wage system will help sustain the entire ecosystem, not just the top end of it.”
Goodachari star Adivi Sesh is directly hit by the Telugu Film Industry Employees Federation strike recently over a wage enhancement demand.
Speaking about the strike exclusively to this writer, Sesh says, “All shoots have been put on hold and this definitely puts pressure on my immediate release, Dacoit.”
Sesh feels an immediate solution must be found. “The powers that be on both ends have to negotiate and finalize this. The lowest paid workers need liveable wages in a much more expensive post-Covid world, which I completely understand and sympathize with. On the other hand, the producers have a valid point that Telugu already pays higher than other south industries, there’s a huge shortage of skilled labor which in turn affects quality and hikes costs, and there’s no flexible call sheet either, like Mumbai. We need to have a one rule work plan for all film industries in India.”
So what’s the solution? Says Sesh, “The key is for both sides to talk to each other but listen first. Empathy and understanding is the only thing that will solve this.”
Adivi Sesh’s Dacoit is one of the most talked-about Telugu films in recent times. “I’m enjoying finding new facets to my performance in Dacoit. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever done before.”
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