The Malayalam film industry was showing a good start this year with many good movies being released and many other being under progress. But with the Malayalam Cine Technicians Association (MACTA) going on an indefinite strike from Tuesday, all shooting activities and production activities have stopped. The shooting of nine films and the post production work of six films came to a halt due to the strike. MACTA has gone for an indefinite strike demanding the Kerala Film Producers Association (KFPA) to negotiate with them and settle all pending issues.
MACTA is demanding the revision of the pay-scales of various workers and suspension of disciplinary action against a few directors. MACTA is formed by eighteen different sections of the film industry which includes various categories of workers. Issues between the two organizations arose when KFPA rejected MACTA’s demand for increasing in the pay of all workers. KFPA had already announced halt of production work from July 31 in protest against these MACTA demands. The general secretary of the MACTA, director Vinayan, has said that they are ready to work with producers who support their demands.
The producers are worried about several films that were slated for release in July and for Onam. The movies whose release dates may be postponed includes, Calcutta News, Nasrani, Alibhai, Heartbeats, Naivedhyam, Mission 90 days, Kitchamani, Chocolate, Hello, Ore Kadal, July 4, Sooryan.
