MUMBAI: Daily soaps sagas on Indian television are currently at the mercy of their editors as The Association of Film and TV Editors called for an indefinite strike on 4 November.
The strike was fuelled when the memorandum of understanding (MoU) addressing the workers’ demand for higher wages and better working conditions, failed to be signed before the promised date of 14 October.
For now, signing of contract between the forerunners, Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) and producers’ association has been delayed and there seems to be no surety of their demands being fulfilled, as per the association.
In a situation like this, one can’t help but wonder about the fate of the numerous shows on television, and how production houses are dealing with the strike, while keeping the show running.
Sol Productions founder and producer Fazila Allana is of the opinion that the strike is uncalled for as producers were in talks with the federation to come to an understanding, and had no qualms with a properly reviewed memorandum. “It is a very random and ad hoc decision by one federation.” Allana tells Indiantelevision.com.
“The discussion with the federation is still under progress and it is almost at a closure. A little patience is what was needed. There are 22 crafts involved. Why should one craft decide for the other 21, not listen to their federation and go on a strike putting the entire industry in jeopardy?” she voices.
As a matter of fact, this strike is further slowing down the signing of the MoU, as per Allana, who also produces the reality show The Stage for Colors Infinity.
Among the several television shows that have been hit by this crisis, it’s the daily soaps that are most affected.
“All our shows are affected by this strike as all our main editors, who work on them aren’t in. As of now we are managing with whatever resources we can pull in but it’s concerning if the situation carries on,” she laments.
From Sol Productions’ perspective, Thapki on Colors is the most affected show; while Beyond Dreams CEO Yash Patnayak informs that their Sadda Hak on Channel V is also taking a hit.
While some long running shows haven’t yet come to a standstill thanks to their episode bank, the newly launched shows are fearing repeat telecast if the strike from Monday continues.
It may be recalled that many channels launched new shows in the month of October as the festive season dawned on the Indian turf.
Voicing his fears, the programming head of a general entertainment channel (GEC), on condition of anonymity says, “If we fail to meet the demands of the association and the strike doesn’t get called off, there is a risk of repeat telecasts. The possibility of that is in cases where shows don’t have a bank, and the newly launched shows will be the worst hit. Everyone is working so that the repeats don’t happen, and thankfully it’s the weekend now, so we might be able to avoid it.”
As per Indiantelevision.com’s analysis, close to Rs 1 billion ad spends are at stake on GEC channels if the strike continues and channels have to resort to airing repeats for a week during this festive season.
The looming question here is as to what the alternate routes will be, which producers may have to adopt if the situation prolongs. Allana points out that by going on strike and preventing other editors from going to work, The Association of Film and TV Editors have violated several court orders. Therefore, many producers may take a legal way out of the situation, if it prevails.
“What they are doing is absolutely illegal. One has the right go on strike but they can’t coerce or threaten others from not coming to work. We have already sent out a letter to them, explaining the illegality of their flash strike without any notice. So if push comes to shove, we will have to take legal action, although that is not desirable for both parties involved,” says Allana.
Indian Film and TV Producers Council producer and co-chairman JD Majethia adds, “We have written a letter to them stating that no talks can happen under threat. Talks will resume when the work is in progress. We were in talks with their mother body and if there were issues it should not have come to us.”
The council has further requested the two parties to meet and discuss and come to a general consensus so that the strike may be called off, he further informs.
While certain producers may take the legal way out, jaded by constant strikes and issues, many are thinking of a more drastic and permanent solution to the issue.
A well known producer on condition of anonymity informs that it has been getting more and more difficult for producers day after day. “Every other day something or the other is happening. I am afraid that the industry will collapse in Mumbai. Eventually, producers and broadcasters will reach their patience limit. Currently everything is concentrated in Mumbai, and if some drastic steps need to be taken, the industry may move out of the city. And if that happens, the people who work in it will be the most affected,” he informs.
Lost Boy Productions director Siddharth Manik Gupta feels that a few demands put forth by the TV editor’s association are valid, the rest are unfair. “While I agree that their issues with work hours and health care facilities should be addressed properly, some of their demands regarding fees are very arbitrary,” he says.
Gupta is of the opinion that if the situation continues, then the industry might move out of Mumbai. “Shows are already being shot outside Mumbai. For example, Star Plus’ show Swadhinta is being shot outside. The television industry will soon be hitting a roadblock in Mumbai with these kind of unions, which act against their own interest calling such strikes. That will lead to Mumbai having lesser shoots, and it will affect us in a very big way,” he says.
Even in terms of production cost, Delhi or any other location but Mumbai seems to be a more feasible option. “Today, when you shoot a show in Delhi, one doesn’t face any union issues. They don’t ask for unheard obscene amounts of money. Locations are also cheaper and I feel even the quality of the product is good. More than anything else, it’s stress free and flawless work that takes place. If I have the option to spend the same amount of money in a place where my work is done peacefully, and maybe even better, why wouldn’t I go there?” Gupta poses a valid question.
Some television producers and industry experts also feel that the issue is being exploited by various political parties as well. Under the promise of anonymity, a television producer and industry insider says, “There are a number of politically linked associations coming up to stir up the ecosystem. They have been increasingly interfering with the way the industry has been functioning. And the recent strike called by the TV editors just tops the situation and signifies a very negative impact upon the industry.”
Whether GECs will be able to showcase their grand festive episodes and bring in Diwali with fireworks galore next week, now depends upon what happens over the weekend in terms of negotiations between the concerned bodies.
Divya Radhakrishnan, Managing director, Helios Media 
Karthik Lakshminarayan, COO, Madison Media 
KVL Narayan Rao, executive vice chairperson, NDTV 
Navin Khemka, managing partner, north and east region, Maxis 
Nisha Singhania, co-founder, Infectious 
Shantanu Gangane, marketing head-Movies Now, Times Television Network 
Sudhir Sharma, producer, Sunshine Productions
Yash Patnaik, producer, Beyond Dreams Entertainment 
Says the Indian Film and Television Producers Council co-chairman JD Majethia: “For the most part, we at the council have been urging our TV producer members to have adequate safety measures on the sets on which they are filming. Taking an insurance cover is essential, which I believe was taken in this case. We have also been telling our members that electric wiring should be done properly and checked periodically, right from the main switchboard, so that chances of sparking and any fire hazards are reduced. The unit has to ensure that there are adequate functional fire extinguishers in place. Thirdly, the electric cabin has to be very well-guarded. Fourthly, the light and the electric boys who are dealing with all this should be well-trained and extremely alert.”
The very popular Kapil seems to have taken the mishap in his stride. Speaking to Indiantelevision.com he says: “
"I always have my mother beside me and I think almost everything you learn in life has a little bit of your mother in it. Every aspect of life has her undertones."
"My mother is an inspiration to me and has always been. Her self-discipline, her high standards, her self-motivation are values that I really look up to and I have tried to inculcate these values in myself."
"The only memory that I have of my mother is of her dying in the hospital. I was very young when she passed away. She was in a lot of pain and we really couldn‘t do much for her. She used to write very good poetry depicting her pain. I still have those handwritten copies of her poetry. Today, all the writing skills and abilities that I have is all thanks to her. The way she expressed her pain in poetry… she is my inspiration."
"My mother has been my only inspiration and she still works harder than anybody else. She has been very loving, caring and has brought me up to be the independent woman which I am today. She hails from a small city Hardoi in UP and was a graduate even in those times but she is modern in the way she thinks. I was a laid back, lazy person but she encouraged me and pushed me to work harder and whatever I am today, its because of her."
"According to me, my mother is the world‘s best cook. I fondly remember the day my mother was experimenting while preparing a cake for me. We were so engrossed in talking to each other that the cake was on fire! She has always been there for me. She was the one who packed my bags when I was going to Oxford. I talk to her everyday on the phone. My mother is an integral part of my life."
"I always feel that the journey I am enjoying in life has been entirely because of her sacrifices, prayers and belief in God. God is rewarding her by keeping us healthy and happy. While a doctor does cut the umbilical cord between mother and child, in real life, the cord only gets stronger and stronger as we grow. My mom and I share the same bond and she is the heart of my body. We share a great bond like friends. We care, we respect, we love, we fight, we pray, we share."
"Every day I spend with my mother is special. I would not say I cherish Mother‘s Day specially, because for me, I love my mother each and every day and she is an integral part of my life. One of the most vivid memories from childhood with Mum is when she threw my entire collection of marbles out the window, quite literally. I used to love playing with marbles as a kid and I had a huge collection. I would start playing, and in the process create a racket with the marbles, in the morning. One day my Mum lost it. That was when she entered my room and just threw the entire bag away!"
"A mother is often the first example of unconditional love that a child experiences. For many mighty girls, their relationship with their mothers is a very special one, and my mom is a role model for me. She has been extremely influential and supportive throughout. I share a wonderful relationship with her… more like a friend than a daughter. I always call her ‘from Shakespeare to samosas‘, as she has done her master’s in English literature and has also sold samosas. She is a fantastic lady and I owe my success to her. My mother is a diligent and determined woman who has guided me with the right direction. More importantly, she has taught me to appreciate this life as a precious gift."
"Ever since my childhood, I have been greatly influenced by my mother. Right from childhood, my mother used to create plays at home and this is how I developed a love for this field. She holds a very strong and influential position in my life. She has motivated me a lot to act in plays in schools and colleges and that has helped me in building my career today to this success. There are many special moments and memories I have spent with her and it is very difficult to pin-point any one. My mother actually is an ordinary woman but in her tiny appearance lies an extraordinary fortitude, perseverance, an altruistic soul and a very kind heart."
"When I was growing up in Uttar Pradesh in the seventies and eighties we didn‘t know of a thing called Mothers Day, but we practised it by giving her the day off on her birthday. My dad , my sister and I would pamper her and the day would end with us taking her out for a meal. Incidentally, my mother‘s birthday is on teacher‘s day, so it was very poignant. The current tradition of Mothers Day is a great one as it brings our dear moms in the spotlight and they deserve this extra day of being serenaded. May be we should have more mothers‘ days in a year. Happy Mother‘s Day Amma !"
"Whatever I am now, I owe it all to her. She used to narrate a lot of stories to me in my childhood and that has helped me become a good ‘storyteller‘. When she would narrate stories to me, the very next day I used to narrate them to my school mates and soon I became a popular ‘storyteller’. Since the past five years I have the same caller tune dedicated to my parents. She has always guided me to the right path in every step of my life. She has taught me discipline, manners, and the sense of duty towards others in the family and in society."
"At 93, she is a fountain of Wisdom, wit and positive energy… My biggest inspiration #unconditionalLove #Mother" (on his facebook profile)