Another showdown threatens Malayalam filmdom

After a brief lull, the stage seems set for another clash between two leading film organisations in Kerala. While the Kerala Film Producers Association (KFPA) has announced that no film related work would take place after July 31, the Malayalam Cine Technicians Association (MACTA) has gone a step further and said if its demands are not met, it would mean downing shutters for the film industry from June 10.

Director Vinayan, chairman of the MACTA, said: "Producers do not have the right to announce a strike because that has to be done by the trade unions and labourers."

Trouble first erupted last week when the KFPA objected to the MACTA's decision to double the wages of film crew, including drivers - from Rs.150 to Rs.300 - and light boys - from Rs.100 to Rs.200.

Producers like Milan Jaleel and Kireedom Unni says this would hike the cost of production which would increase by more than a million rupees for each film.

"MACTA is a group that does not make any investment at all and producers will decide what type of films should be taken and who all should act in them," said Jaleel.

But Vinayan says the wages have not been revised for two decades.

Another demand the MACTA has put forward is to stall the release of any superstar's film for five months a year, so that other films also get reasonable collections at ticket counters.

But Nedumudi Venu, a veteran character artist and vice president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA), said to stall the release of a film that has a superstar for a few months would not be fruitful.

"I don't think just because there are no superstar films for a few months, other films will get audiences. The audience does not think that way," said Venu.

AMMA is yet to come out with any official reaction.

"One of the main reasons for such frequent showdowns in the industry is fat egos," said Venu.

State Culture Minister M.A. Baby has indicated that the state government would no doubt intervene if their help were sought. For the industry, which is already struggling with mounting costs, the latest rift comes as a bloody blow.

The coming week is expected to be turbulent with the industry going on a strike and producers worried about returns from the slew of films already slated for release during the Onam season that falls in the last week of August.

Indo-Asian News Service