Standoff between TFPC and FEFSI escalates, Court calls for mediation
The standoff between the Tamil Film Producers Council (TFPC) and the Film Employees Federation of South India (FEFSI) has escalated, leading to the Madras High Court stepping in and strongly suggesting mediation.
The primary issue stems from the expiry of a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between TFPC and FEFSI on March 9, 2025. This MoU governed the wages and working conditions of film technicians and other workers.
FEFSI is pushing for a new MoU with revised and increased remuneration, arguing that the current pay structure is exploitative. Their legal counsel notably highlighted in court that while “top actors are paid Rs 300 crore per movie, technicians struggle to get even Rs 3,000 a day.”
The TFPC, largely representing small and medium-budget filmmakers, claims they are willing to negotiate a new MoU but have faced non-cooperation and hostility from FEFSI. They also point to significant financial losses due to stalled productions.
Justice K. Kumaresh Babu of the Madras High Court declined to issue an immediate interim relief against FEFSI’s protest. The court reasoned that it could not compel FEFSI members to work with TFPC since their binding MoU had already lapsed.
Crucially, the judge urged both parties to resolve their differences through an amicable mediation process. He suggested that both TFPC and FEFSI propose names of retired High Court judges who could act as neutral mediators.