Tollywood Small Producers Slam Federation Rules & Wage Hike Demands Amid Strike
With the ongoing strike in Tollywood showing no signs of resolution, a collective of small and mid-level producers convened a press meet at Prasad Labs, Hyderabad, to shed light on the mounting challenges in film production. Attendees included SKN, Dheeraj Mogilineni, Razesh Danda, Chaitanya (Prime Show), Benny, Sharath (Chai Bisket), Anurag, Madhura Sreedhar Reddy, Maheshwar Reddy, Rakesh Varre, and several others.
“Industry Thrives Only if Small Producers Survive”
Producer Razesh Danda stressed that the backbone of the industry lies in small producers.
“We are already struggling, and the strike by film workers demanding a 30% wage hike is pushing us further into a corner. We had planned to release our film for Diwali, but now the shoot is on hold. Out of 150 junior artists on paper, barely 50 show up on set — so where is the money going? OTT and dubbing payments are delayed, yet we are expected to pay our dues daily without fail. Is this realistic?”
Rules Creating Unnecessary Burden
Producer Madhura Sreedhar Reddy questioned rigid union mandates:
“Even for a small scene, we need union permission to run a generator. For a simple shot with a hero and a friend, we are forced to hire nearly 80 staff members — when only six are needed. Why should producers carry this unnecessary load?”
Producer Chaitanya from Prime Show echoed the sentiment, stating that filmmaking challenges are not unique to Tollywood:
“From cinema to IT to real estate, everyone is working with hope. But forcing producers to hire fixed numbers instead of letting them choose is unfair. Producers create jobs — yet none of us are truly happy in the current climate. We need quick resolution.”
Costs Spiraling Out of Control
Producer Vamsi Nandipati highlighted how production costs have skyrocketed:
“Films that should cost ₹2 crore now cost four or five times more. Theatrical revenues don’t match this spending. If union members experienced our position, they’d understand our struggle.”
Passion Being Tested by Unreasonable Demands
Producer Dheeraj Mogilineni noted that while they entered the industry with passion, outdated union rules are draining resources:
“For shoots requiring fewer people, we’re still forced to hire 100–150 crew members. Valuable resources are wasted. Strikes don’t help anyone.”
Producer Rakesh Varre compared past and present costs:
“I once completed a film for ₹1.5 crore using local talent and union workers. Today, the same film costs ₹8 crore. Small films can’t recover such investments, and no one steps in to help when we incur losses.”
Seeking Collaboration, Not Conflict
Producer Sharath from Chai Bisket Films called for unity:
“We work with newcomers, but union rules are becoming a barrier. Producers and unions shouldn’t be at odds — solutions can emerge if we sit together and talk.”
“We’re Not Rising Producers — We’re Burning Producers”
Producer SKN delivered one of the most passionate statements:
“Ninety percent of the industry consists of small films. We have no positions or power — only our voices. This isn’t about groupism but survival. You want a 30% hike? Take 50% if you can guarantee we’ll recover investments. Big films may claim to be pan-India, but that’s not our reality. A 25% wage cut for small films was once proposed, but never implemented — now every production is treated the same. We finance films and meet deadlines, yet often return home with nothing but the satisfaction of calling ourselves producers. Ticket price hikes benefit only a few films. We’re dignified on the outside but struggling within.”
He further questioned the lack of broader industry support:
“Where are the Directors’ Association or the Movie Artists Association on these issues? If necessary, we’re ready to stop making films. Who has the right to dictate our crew size or wage structure? When there’s no business, is a 30% hike fair? Rights come with responsibilities — and if unions won’t adapt, we’ll work only with those who fit our budgets. Filmmaking is not about comfort; it’s about passion.”
Call for Government Intervention
Concluding the press meet, SKN urged the governments of both Telugu states to take note of the hardships faced by small producers:
“We must think collectively, not selfishly. No hero is refusing to shoot without a wage hike — they understand the ground reality. The unions should also work with the mindset that this is our industry, and our producers are its lifeline.”
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