The Telugu Film Industry has come to a standstill following a strike initiated by the Telugu Film Industry Employees Federation on Monday, demanding a 30% wage hike for both skilled and unskilled workers. The disruption has already impacted multiple high-profile film shoots, prompting the Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce to call an emergency meeting with leading producers.
Prominent producers including D. Suresh Babu, Dil Raju, Allu Aravind, and Ravi Shankar Yalamanchili attended the high-level meeting to address the escalating crisis. Speaking to the media, producer D. Suresh Babu—who had to leave midway for the press event of his upcoming film Coolie—said, “We had detailed discussions on the Federation’s demands. Our goal is to find an amicable solution that works for both sides.”
However, he pointed out that Tollywood wages are already higher compared to those in Chennai and Kerala. “We’re seeking a rationalized approach, not a blanket 30% hike. For example, a transport worker is currently earning around ₹1 lakh a month. Big producers might handle the cost, but small and mid-level producers could be forced out,” he warned.
The Federation is demanding a wage hike that would increase the daily wage for unskilled workers from ₹1,400 to ₹1,820, and for skilled workers from ₹2,500 to ₹3,250. Producers argue that the industry, already under financial pressure, cannot absorb such a steep rise.
Suresh Babu also highlighted the need for accountability among workers. “We can’t continue the practice of idle workers drawing full wages. We’ll be selecting workers more carefully from the union to avoid unnecessary costs,” he said. He further criticized what he termed as “blackmail tactics” by the Federation, accusing them of strategically targeting big productions nearing release.
Amid the strike, tension escalated at Annapurna Studios, where workers reportedly tried to halt the shoot of Ustaad Bhagat Singh, starring Pawan Kalyan. According to Rajeshwar Reddy, former Federation president, the protest was triggered by reports that dancers from Mumbai were hired instead of local talent. “Pawan Kalyan garu stopped the shoot to support local workers,” he confirmed.
Reddy asserted that the strike will continue indefinitely until their demands are met. “This isn’t arm-twisting. It’s a fight for fair wages. Over 10,000 workers depend on this industry. We have widespread support and remain hopeful for a positive resolution in the coming talks,” he added.
The ongoing impasse has already begun to impact major productions like Raja Saab, PEDDI, Dacoit, Chiranjeevi’s film with Anil Ravipudi, Nani’s The Paradise, and Balakrishna’s Akhanda 2, among others.
Further negotiations between producers and the Federation are expected soon as the industry braces for potentially significant delays and losses.
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