The Film Employees Federation of South India (FEFSI) has announced an indefinite strike from September 1.
According to its chief, RK Selvamani, the decision was made with “utmost difficulty”. “We were forced to do this as Vishal and company had asked film students and other non-FEFSI technicians to apply for various positions with The Tamil Film Producers Council (TFPC). When there is negotiation going on with us, this move was really surprising. After much thought and discussions, we’ve decided to hold the strike.”
This is the second such strike in the last few months. Last time around, Selvamani abandoned the strike at the request of actors Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan. Talks with the TFPC were initiated but were to no avail.
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Selvamani says that the strike will affect at least a dozen films that are being shot in the state at present. “We realise that it will cause untold agony and loss of money to producers, but right now, we have no other choice. This is the only platform we can use to make sure our cause is known.”
Meanwhile, a source from the TFPC said that such tactics will not yield results for FEFSI. “They have again tried bullying methods. We will not respond to such threats.”
Selvamani says that the FEFSI plans to hold a rally in Valluvar Kottam, Chennai on September 5.