Shooting on all Bollywood films have come to a halt!
10,000 film and television workers went on strike beginning today, Wednesday, halting production on dozens of projects.
The strikers are protesting inadequate, irregular pay, and the presence of non-union workers on set. In some cases payment has been delayed for as long as a year, and even when workers receive payment, it is for less hours than they put in.
Movie stars – including Shah Rukh Khan and Amitabh Bachchan – along with dancers, writers, and technicians have ceased work indefinitely.
Dinesh Chaturvedi – general secretary of the Federation of Western India Cine Employees – says that they are not pleased strike, but that they are “helpless” otherwise. The Federation operates as the all inclusive union of Bollywood workers and this is the first time in its 50 years that they’ve called a strike.
Bollywood churns out about 1000 films a year, holding its own against the industry in the States. The strike comes at a critical time, potentially dealing a blow to India’s film festival season.
Producers and broadcasters are understandably “anxious” for a speedy resolution.
Ratan Jain – president of the Association of Motion Picture & TV Program Producers – is likewise eager for a solution. He says that the Association is working on a deal to present to union representatives tonight.
They better agree to start coughing up workers’ dough, cuz a year without pay just isn’t fair!
[Image via WENN.]