Minister Komatireddy Backs Workers in Telugu Film Industry Wage Dispute

Talks between the Telugu Film Industry Employees’ Federation and producers have been going on for weeks without resolution. The main issue is the Federation’s demand for a 30% wage hike across all 24 departments it represents, from technical crews to daily wage workers.

On August 3, the Federation announced that starting August 4, no film shoots would continue unless producers submitted written confirmation agreeing to the new wage structure. In response, the Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce issued a counter-statement, saying producers would now be free to hire any skilled workers, union members or not. They cited concerns about high union entry fees and restrictions keeping new talent out.

Adding to this, the Active Telugu Film Producers Guild issued an open call for skilled and aspiring professionals across departments to apply for current projects, signaling a shift in how crews might be staffed going forward.

Now, Telangana Cinematography Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy has addressed the situation. Speaking to the media on August 5 in Hyderabad, he said that increasing wages is reasonable given Hyderabad’s rising living costs. He also confirmed that after returning from a trip to Delhi, he would meet directly with workers to hear their concerns.

In an effort to move discussions forward, the minister said that producer and TFDC Chaiman, Dil Raju has been given the responsibility to coordinate between the Federation and producers. Dil Raju is currently in talks with the Producer’s Council to find a workable solution.

The minister pointed out that while the government has supported the industry by approving higher ticket prices for films, producers should now take a fair stance on workers’ pay.

This intervention by a government official could bring new momentum to the stalled talks. But until both sides come to an agreement, many film shoots are likely to remain paused, affecting schedules and release plans across the industry.