Fee hike for technicians turns heat on producers

Summer will see a packed shooting schedule in Tollywood, but the decision to hike the wages of technical hands — backed by Federation of Cine Technicians and Workers of Eastern India (Federation) and Eastern India Motion Pictures Association (EIMPA) — has sparked heated discussions in the industry. Producers feel the proposed 40% hike per shift will impact budget of films in a big way.
The decision to increase wages comes 20 months after the expiry of the memorandum of understating between Tollywood’s governing bodies, Federation and EIMPA.“This hike was long due and is taking place after almost five years. It was proposed by the Federation and passed by the Producers’ Section, EIMPA. We have been mulling over it for the past 20 months and even set up a negotiation committee. The revised rate chart has already been mailed to production houses and I have personally spoken to many producers,” said Krishna Daga, president of EIMPA. He explained that the revised rates have been made effective from March 1 and the Mumbai-based producers of a Bengali film, Pen Drive, in which he is involved as an executive producer, are paying as per the new chart.
However, there are still many grey areas. Shrikant Mohta, whose Crisscross, directed by Birsa Dasgupta, is already on the floors, said they are not following the revised rates just yet. “I have had a discussion with many of my producer friends and could not reach a consensus on this. The MoU between Federation and EIMPA expired long back and how can there be a salary decision without an agreement? Also, as per the Competition Commission of India (CCI) order, producers can now hire as many technicians they feel are needed; we are awaiting a revised guideline on that,” he said.
N Dutta, whose film, Kishore Kumar Junior, directed by Kaushik Ganguly, is currently being shot in Jaisalmer, said he was not told when the revised rates would come into effect. “As far as I know, the Jaisalmer chapter of the shoot will not get affected as it doesn’t start before April 1. Also, right now the proposed rate is 40% hike per shift; I’m sure through discussions it can be brought down,” he said. Dutta said the impact of the new rates could be felt, depending on the schedules per film. “For example, Kishore Kumar Junior that stars Prosenjit Chatterjee in the lead is expected to be completed in 26 days. On the contrary, Mainak (Bhaumik) wraps up a film in 16-17 days. If it’s a small film, then the budget will go up by `8-10 lakh. But if it’s a mainstream commercial venture, then, the cost will increase by `15 lakh. Also, where is the possibility of recovering the investment when satellite and digital rights have almost fixed rates and theatrical collection depends entirely on the audience’s verdict? Also, in this state, Hindi films get far more shows than regional movies,” rued Dutta.
Some of the producers reasoned that the rates were changed without any discussion with them. “Forty per cent hike per shift is a lot of money. Considering the films that we do, it will cost us `5-7 lakh more. We could be involved in such a crucial decision,” said Atanu Raychaudhuri, whose Kantho, directed by Nandita Roy and Shiboprosad Mukherjee, will be shot through March and April. Nispal Singh, who is helming the Ravi Kinnagi-directed Jamai Bodol, said things will get clearer in the coming days and that he is ready to wait. Meanwhile, producers said the revised chart was sent without any signature by the deciding authorities. But Daga reasoned, “It bears signatures by Piya Sengupta and me from EIMPA and Aparna Ghatak and Swarup Biswas from the Federation. Just that, we have given the signed charts to the members. This decision was taken by members of the Producers’ Section and not by me.”