FRESH STRIKE CRIPPLES
TAMIL FILMDOM AGAIN

CHENNAI: The Tamil film industry is in the throes of a fresh crisis yet again, thanks to the war between the two workers’ unions. The Film Employees Federation of South India (FEFSI) has asked members to stop work from May 1 for films in all langauges in Tamil Nadu. The strike is expected to continue until a settlement is reached over the pending dispute between the FEFSI and the newly-formed Tamil Nadu Film Federation, which also has members from the breakaway Tamil Nadu Film Creators and Employees Federation.

The new strike call was announced by Mohammed Nayeem, chairman of the adhoc committee of FEFSI, because the new federation refused to give up its identity despite the fact that the FEFSI had agreed to all the terms put forth by it. The new workers’ body headed by K Balachander and Bharatiraja want the FEFSI to close down and accept the supremacy of the new body.

FEFSI draws its support from the editors union and the camera focus assistants who belong to the lightmen’s union. A cameraman will not function without focus assisants and outdoor units will not hand over cameras to new hands, feels FEFSI. Art directors too are expected to join the editors in not cooperating with filmmakers. However, the new federation is unperturbed by the FEFSI’s new strike call.

Eleven months ago, a dispute erupted on the sets of a Balu Mahendra-directed Tamil film, when FEFSI objected to the shooting of a song with drama artistes along with junior artistes. Ironically the drama artistes were members of an artiste union which was affiliated to FEFSI. The issue snowballed into a strike, which paralysed the entire film industry. Any one holding an FEFSI card will not be hired by producers affiliated to the Tamil film producers council. Except for Kamal Haasan and KT Kunjumon, all others owe allegiance to the new body. FEFSI men who work in other languages cannot dump their cards as it allows them to work in other states. Only those totally dependent on Tamil films, and new hands have joined the new body.

Meanwhile, Radha Ravi who heads the artistes and dubbing association has rejoined the FEFSI fold.