TV shoot stalemate continues for 4th day

Kolkata: The shutdown in the Tollywood in demand of payments by the actors and techinicians under the banner of Artists Forum has entered its fourth day with no solution of a breakthrough in sight despite several rounds of meetings as shooting of mega TV serials have been stalled.

The strike got underway since August 18 after actors of several Bengali serials and techinicians complained of not getting their payments by the producers. On Tuesday a meeting was held by the Artists Forum at Nazrul Mancha. Veteran actor Soumitra Chatt-opadhyay was also present.

Later Bengali actor Prosenjit Chatterjee, who was also present there, said, “Our first demand is to start the shooting. After that we will sit for discussion. This is our message to the producers. They have raised some points in what appeared to be a pact. We want it to be quashed and appeal them to discuss.”

Federation of Cine Technicians and Workers of Eastern India President Swarup Biswas, also heavyweight Trinamul minister Aroop Biswas' brother, said, “I urge the producers to come to the table of talks and resume the work. We do not believe in any discussion putting work on hold. Work and discussion should go parallelly.” He added, “Artists should get dues within a week after working for 11 days. Similarly after working for a month, they must get their payments within next 15 days. I think the producers are showing their rigidity too much which is not fair. All need work. If they remain firm in their stand it will be not healthy.” Mr Bhutia added that the prison authorities informed the police abo-ut it through radiogram due to infrastructural problem.

He informed that the post-mortem was conducted in presence of an executive magistrate according to human rights guidelines. On Monday, the police handed over Gour’s body to his family. Babusona said they verbally complained about mysterious death.