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2w ago

Tollywood Strike Enters Second Day as Producers Open to Non-Union Crew

After daily-wage workers halted shoots over a rejected 30% pay hike, producers have signaled willingness to hire outside the union to keep films rolling.

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Telugu film industry comes to a standstill | Image: Republic
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Overview

  • The Telugu Film Employees Federation’s indefinite strike has halted all film and web series shoots across Tollywood since August 4.
  • The federation represents over 10,000 daily-wage technicians in 24 categories demanding a 30% wage increase from the current ₹1,400 per day.
  • Producers had offered a 5% raise, which the union deemed insufficient, and have now opened hiring to non-union crew citing a Competition Commission order.
  • Leading producers met actor Chiranjeevi on August 5 to seek his mediation while Telangana’s cinematography minister publicly voiced support for workers’ pay demands.
  • Further negotiations continue under the labour commissioner’s oversight as both sides remain deadlocked over what they describe as viable compensation and industry sustainability.