Tollywood Strike: Small Producers Say Costs Are Out of Control

 Small Producers Voice Struggles Over Federation Rules & Wage Hike Demands

With the ongoing Tollywood strike, several small and mid-level producers gathered at Prasad Labs, Hyderabad, to highlight the growing challenges in filmmaking. Attendees included SKN, Dheeraj Mogilineni, Razesh Danda, Chaitanya (Prime Show), Benny, Sharath (Chai Bisket), Anurag, Madhura Sreedhar, Maheshwar Reddy, Rakesh Varre, and others.

Rising Costs, Shrinking Profits

Producer Razesh Danda stressed that small producers are the backbone of the industry. "We’re already struggling. Now, a 30% wage hike demand from film workers is making it worse. We planned a Diwali release but had to halt shooting. Out of 150 junior artists on paper, only 50 turn up. OTT and dubbing payments are delayed, yet we’re expected to pay on time every dayhow is that possible?"

Unions Forcing Extra Burden

Madhura Sreedhar pointed out that even for a simple scene, union permission is needed for basics like running a generator. "For a two-actor scene, we’re forced to hire 80 people when only 6 are needed. Why should small producers bear this cost?"

Chaitanya from Prime Show added, "It’s not just herefilm industries worldwide are struggling. Forcing a fixed crew size is unfair. Producers create jobs, but right now, none of us are truly happy."

Budgets Out of Control

Vamsi Nandipati noted that films that should cost ₹2 crore now cost 4–5 times more. "The theatre business doesn’t justify this spend. If unions understood our struggles, they’d think differently."

Dheeraj Mogilineni urged unions to adapt. "For small shoots, forcing 100–150 hires wastes resources. These strikes help no one."

Small Films Hit Hardest

Rakesh Varre compared costs: "Earlier, I made a film with union workers for ₹1.5 crore. Now, the same film costs ₹8 crore. For a small film, recovering that is impossible."

Sharath from Chai Bisket said, "We work with newcomers, but union rules are becoming roadblocks. Producers and unions must sit together and find a solution."

We Are Burning Producers’

SKN, representing 90% of the industry’s small films, said, "We don’t have positions or powerjust our voices. You want a 30% hike? Take 50%, but can you guarantee we’ll recover it? Big films get pan-India releases and ticket price hikes, but we don’t. The agreement for a 25% wage cut for small films is not being followed. We handle all risks, yet often end up with nothing but the satisfaction of making a film."

He praised actor Kiran Abbavaram for supporting Chennai Love Story and understanding the producer’s struggle. "How many such actors exist? We are not rising producerswe are burning producers. We may look fine on the outside, but we’re hurting inside. No producer can guarantee profits today. If unions don’t change, we’ll work with those who fit our budgets."

Call to Governments

SKN concluded by urging both Telugu state governments to step in. "We must think collectively. Heroes understand the situation; unions must too. This is not just about rightsit’s also about responsibilities."