Dassani Studio in Kolkata where director Srijit Roy asked his colleagues to show up in solidarity for the ceasework at his soap opera sets. Photo DEBASISH BHADURI
A fresh impasse has erupted in the Kolkata film industry amid a drastic 70% drop in film productions within a year. This is the second such cease work within the last six months as the cold war between the directors and technicians continue to shake up the industry and its work.
The impasse started growing when soap opera director Srijit Roy heard rumours in the industry from February 1 that they would stop constructing his serial set inside the film studio. Mr. Roy added, “The rumour was that I have made comments in 2024 that have hurt some technicians, but there is no proof to that end. I mailed the technicians federation to ask about the cause but have gotten no response. Work has been stopped on other films and serial sets as well.”
The director claimed that he has developed a great rapport with all technicians in the industry in his 25-year-long career and this cease work on his set was due to “external influences”.
In a live video on social media site Facebook on February 4, Mr. Roy described his ordeal. He added, “Me and my partner Souvik have borrowed money to make this serial after a lot of struggles. We do not come from wealthy families. Who will bear the losses that I am suffering every day?”
The aggrieved director also urged his colleagues to gather at the Dassani 1 Film Studio to show solidarity with his cause. He urged technicians to meet him in person and start a conversation with him about his “alleged” faults. He also urged that if there is proof he will accept his mistakes.
As the day progressed, multiple directors and actors gathered around the studio to show their support. Sudeshna Roy, secretary of Directors’ Association of Eastern India showed support and reached the spot.
Director Subrata Sen who is also part of the director’s association and stayed in solidarity with Mr. Roy told The Hindu, “The number of films made in 2023 was 134, but it dropped to merely 39 in 2024. If these problems continues then in a few years, the number will be zero.”
This shows a drastic 70% drop in film production which has negatively impacted every person associated with the industry. He insisted that no one is looking at the bigger picture and willing to work together to help the industry bounce back from its slump.
Actor and director Parambrata Chatterjee said, “Even if Srijit has done something. Does he not deserve a response from the technicians’ federation to tell him what his fault is. But they are silent. The technicians who work on the set are also losing pay, so is the director.” He added that they are ready to discuss and reach a solution if the technicians’ federation comes to the table.
Repeated deadlocks
All shoots had been halted at the industry last July which resulted in a war of words between the stakeholders. Which ended after the Chief Minister intervened.
The high-handedness of the technician’s federation has been repeatedly questioned by the directors, producers, and actors alike.
The directors’ association even filed a case against the Federation of Cine Technicians and Workers of Eastern India at the Competition Commission of India in Delhi to officially voice their concerns about the arm-twisting culture promoted by the federation.
Published – February 05, 2025 12:01 am IST
