We Are Hopeful to End the Deadlock, Says Dil Raju

 Amidst reports that talks between the Telugu Film Producers Council and Telugu Film Industry Employees Federation have failed, producer Dil Raju addressed a brief press conference and expressed some hope of ending this deadlock. ‘We told federation members that they should come up with a new percentage plan for workers who are drawing above Rs 2000 to Rs 40,000 and they told us they would discuss with their members and revert to us,” he said and added, “We discussed various issues with federation members for four hours today and we are hopeful of resolving this issue in a few more meetings,’ he adds

However, a source revealed that producers were firm on their proposal to hike wages only for workers earning below Es 2,000 and Rs 1,000 per day, with gradual increases spread over three years. Federation leaders, however, pushed for raises for those earning Rs 3,500 and above per day, a demand the producers rejected. “Producers want to revise the pay of low-level workers, not those already comfortably placed,” the source explained.

The coordination meeting was attended by Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce office-bearers Bharat Bushan, Prasanna Kumar, and Damodar Prasad, along with producers Dil Raju, C. Kalyan, Achanta Gopinath, Bapineedu, Tagore Madhu, Gemini Kiran, Supriya, Vivek Kuchibotla, Sravanthi Ravi Kishore, YVS Choudhury, and others. Representing the federation were president Anil Vallabhaneni, general secretary Ammiraju, and other members.

One producer, speaking anonymously, pointed out that some highly paid technicians are seeking steep hikes. “A stunt choreographer who already charges Rs 50,750 per day is demanding a 30% hike. Similarly, stuntmen and makeup artists earning Rs 3,500–Rs 4,500 daily want the same. Producers did not agree to that when their unions were already affluent. Their offer stands for makeup assistants, spot boys, lightmen assistants, and other workers earning below Rs 2,000 per day,” he said.

Industry insiders warn that such across-the-board hikes could deal a severe blow to small-budget productions — the backbone of Telugu cinema. “A small filmmaker would have to spend Rs 3–4 crore just to meet the proposed pay structure,” director Teja cautioned. He compared the situation to the Malayalam industry, where modest worker charges allow films to be made for Rs 4–5 crore, resulting in global recognition and fresh talent.

Teja further noted that some of Tollywood’s biggest stars — including Prabhas, Allu Arjun, and Jr NTR — began their careers in content-driven small films, as did legendary directors like Dasari Narayana Rao, Mani Ratnam, Bapu, and S S Rajamouli. “Without new talent, the Telugu industry will suffer. Already, Telugu cinema is struggling with soaring production costs and poor turnout at theatres. If this wage hike is forced across the board, small films — which make up nearly 80% of our industry — will die a natural death,” he concluded.