Malayalam film industry in trouble

Malayalam film industry is in trouble as, the Malayalam Producers' Council has decided to stop all shooting activities in the state from July 31. This decision was taken after the unsuccessful negotiations with MACTA, the technicians' associations. This is the second time Malayalam film industry is put on hold in two years.

The technicians association has put forth some demands to the producers' council including the rise of drivers, spot boys and other layman's pay but the council is not willing to fulfill some of the demands immediately. The council is angered by the demand of MACTA, prompting them to compelled the superstars to keep away from all the shooting activities for at least six months.

The Producers' Council convened emergency meeting yesterday regarding the issue and condemned the demands of MACTA. They unanimously passed a resolution to stop all shooting activities from July 30 as a sign of disagreement with the MACTA for their impossible demands. The President of the Council is firm that it is the producer's prerogative to decide what type of movies to finance and whom to put their money on.

Jhon Milan Jalis, one of the council functionaries said, "There is no meaning in the demand for stopping all the shootings activities of the superstars like Mohanlal, Mammootty and Dileep. They are like pillars for the Industry. The demands of technicians' association are unimaginable and very much selfish. If we hike their pay as per their demand, every producer will face more than Rs.20 lakhs per film. How can it be possible for small budget producers? It is a kind of threatening from the technicians. The Producers' Council will face this challenge head on."