MUMBAI: In an unprecedented move, representatives of producers from four South Indian film industries – Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam - have decided to stop the shooting of all new films commencing from 7 September.
The decision was taken in Chennai after the negotiations between the producers and the Film Employees’ Federation of South India (FEFSI), demanding a salary hike of 50 to 100 per cent, broke down.
"It has been unanimously decided that from September 7 onwards no new films will be commenced in all four southern languages,” said South Indian Film Chamber of Commerce (SIFCC) president Kalyan in a statement.
"We were holding talks with FEFSI for the last two months, but in vain. An MoU has been reached in Karnataka with their Federation and accordingly, they have increased wages from 10 to 28 per cent. This offer was also given to FEFSI, but they didn’t budge an inch. In view of the above, we have resolved not to launch any new film from 7 September. We also request that current projects on floors should be completed by October-end," SIFCC secretary Anandha Suresh added.
