To the esteemed Government of Tamil Nadu and the office-bearers of the Tamil Film Producers Council,
Subject: An appeal to the Government of Tamil Nadu and the Tamil film producers’ associations to reconsider the announcement to halt all film-related activities—including shooting—from September 1st, and to find an amicable solution.
FEFSI (Film Employees Federation of South India), the organization representing film workers, is well aware of the financial crises and various difficulties currently faced by Tamil film producers. We have never held a contrary view regarding the need for appropriate solutions to the producers’ legitimate demands and issues.
While the Tamil Film Producers Council and the Tamil Film Active Producers Association had announced a halt to film releases starting September 1st to resolve recent differences with theater owners, we were deeply shocked by the subsequent announcement that all film-related activities—including shooting—would also be stopped from that date.
When film shoots and related activities are halted, the direct impact is felt not only by the producers but also by thousands of film workers and their families who rely on daily wage employment for their livelihood.
We believe it is essential to highlight the consequences of halting shoots and film activities in the past when attempting to resolve issues within the film industry.
Specifically, during the tenure of Mr. Vishal as President in 2023, film activities—including shooting—were suspended for a period of approximately 45 to 50 days. At that time, tripartite talks involving the Producers Council, the Theater Owners Association, and labor organizations were held in the presence of the government, leading to several significant decisions. However, it is a matter of concern that many of the decisions reached when film shoots were previously halted remain unimplemented to this day.
If the pattern of halting shoots whenever issues arise—followed by negotiations and decisions that are never fully implemented—continues, it will cause severe damage to the entire film industry.
Such a course of action adversely affects producers, film workers, and the film industry as a whole.
When film shoots are halted, thousands of workers who rely solely on daily wages are immediately affected. It is crucial for everyone to recognize that the families dependent on these workers also suffer economic hardship.
The film industry does not rely solely on producers, actors, and directors. The livelihoods of thousands of workers across various sectors—including cinematographers, assistant directors, technicians, makeup artists, costume staff, lighting crew, set workers, and transport personnel—are inextricably linked to this industry.
Therefore, on behalf of FEFSI, we earnestly request the Producers’ Council to reconsider the decision to halt all film-related activities, including shoots, starting September 1st.
We also earnestly request the Government of Tamil Nadu to intervene immediately in this matter and facilitate tripartite talks—in the presence of the government—involving representatives from the Producers’ Council, the Theatre Owners’ Association, and workers’ unions. If all current issues facing the film industry are discussed and resolved during these talks, it will help the industry function even more efficiently.
The film fraternity will reap the full benefits of these discussions only if the government ensures that the decisions reached are implemented within clear timeframes, rather than merely stopping at the negotiation stage.
To prevent a recurrence of situations where decisions made in previous government-mediated talks were not fully implemented, we urge that a clear action plan be formulated this time to ensure the effective implementation of the decisions reached.
We earnestly request the Honorable Chief Minister, Thiru. Joseph Vijay—who possesses a deep understanding of the film industry and the livelihoods of film workers—to intervene immediately and facilitate an amicable solution, taking into account the gravity of the issue and the impact that a work stoppage would have on thousands of workers.
