Tollywood film shoots halted asThe Telugu film industry, known as Tollywood, is currently facing a major standstill as thousands of film workers continue their strike demanding higher daily wages. For several days now, shooting for many films has been completely halted. The strike has the support of 24 crafts unions, representing various technical and production roles in the industry.
Producers, however, have argued that the current wages are already high and have held several meetings to discuss the matter. According to producer T.G. Vishwa Prasad of People Media Factory, the strike has already caused an estimated loss of ₹1.5 crore to the industry. He has taken legal action by issuing notices to Film Federation President Anil, Secretary Ammiraju and Joint Secretary Alex, urging workers to call off the strike immediately and return to work.
Vishwa Prasad also warned that if workers do not resume duties, producers might hire outsiders to complete the work. These comments sparked controversy, with workers accusing him of making provocative remarks. Union leaders have demanded that he apologise, warning that they might stage a protest outside his house if he fails to do so. They also accused him of bringing “English culture” into the industry and even claimed they would boycott his films in future.
The Telugu Film Chamber has now issued a directive to all producers not to hold discussions with striking workers or their leaders. It has also instructed that all outdoor shoots be stopped until further notice.
Workers are currently demanding a 30% increase in daily wages, claiming that their present pay is not enough to meet rising living costs. Producers, however, remain firm in rejecting the demand. With neither side ready to compromise, there is no clear end in sight to the strike.
For now, the lights, cameras, and action in Tollywood remain completely paused, with the standoff showing no signs of resolution.
