Leo Dancers' Salary Issue: RK Selvamani Stands With Vijay's Producers; Says 'Non-members Were Also Paid..'

Leo Dancers' Salary Issue: With Thalapathy Vijay's Leo releasing in theaters worldwide in a few days, the film crew is actively involved in the promotions of the film. 'Naan Ready Thaan' song released on the occasion of Vijay's birthday continues to attract more fans on YouTube.

Dancers' Complaint Against Leo Producers

The song shooting was done using a lot of dancers in this film. There are reports that 1300 dancers were used in the film and some dancers are now complaining that they have not been paid even for a single day.

Meanwhile, 800 of these dancers came to file a complaint at the Chennai Police Commissioner's office and there was a commotion. They have demanded that actor Vijay should intervene in this matter and get their dues before the release of the film.

They have also mentioned that they will approach the court if their salary arrears are not paid in three days. In such a situation, RK Selvamani, the president of Film Employees' Federation of South India (FEFSI) released a press note regarding this salary issue for Leo dancers.

In it he mentioned, "Today we saw a video in some channels about dancers were not paid for their work in Leo movie song. Mr. Dinesh Master, who worked as the choreographer for the song, said that director Lokesh Kanagaraj wanted to shoot a song with 2,000 dancers in a song sequence of the movie Leo.

FEFSI President RK Selvamani Clarifies

The Tamil Nadu Film, Television Dancers and Choreographers Association (TANTTNNIS) affiliated to FEFSI had a maximum of 600 artists. Because the association, which has a maximum membership of 1,000 people, had only 600 dancers as nearly 400 artistes were already contracted for various films. When more dancers are needed like this, it is customary to film the members of the Dancers' Association in the front rows and the non-members with some knowledge of dance or good-looking men/women in the back rows. They are called Rich Boys / Rich Girls or Models or Non-Members. They are usually given 3 meals and a stipend of Rs 1,000/- including conveyance.

The shooting of the song was held for 6 days from 06.06.2023 to 11.06.2023 at Aadhi Sriram studio in Panaiyur, Chennai. When it was discussed in the Producers Association what wages should be paid to these non-members, it was decided to pay Rs.1,750/- per member per day for 6 days including wages + conveyance and Rs.10,500/- per day.

Accordingly, a total of Rs.94,60,500/- was paid to all the members directly into their respective bank accounts. Apart from that, service charge was given separately to TANTTNNIS.

Now, we have seen a few dancers complaining that they need to be paid. This is false news. All members of the Tamil Nadu Film, Television Dancers and Choreographers Association (TANTTNNIS) have their dues paid in full to their association. Similarly, we inform that non-members have been given Rs.10,500/- each (for a total of 6 days) in their respective bank accounts."