The Tamil Film Producers’ Council (TFPC) announced significant changes to the industry on Monday, including a mandated eight-week OTT release window for big-star films and a temporary cessation of all film-related activities starting from November 1. Additionally, the initiation of new productions has been postponed until after August 16.
These updates follow a crucial joint meeting between the TFPC, members of the Tamil Nadu Theater and Multiplex Owners Association, and the Tamil Nadu Film Distributors Association. The meeting’s primary aim was to address mounting concerns regarding the financial management within the industry and the increasing losses incurred by producers.
One of the major points of discussion was the ever-escalating salaries of film artists and technicians. The council has taken it upon itself to regulate and restructure these remunerations to curb financial losses. To ensure the effective implementation of this measure, the TFPC has advised a temporary halt on all film-related activities starting November 1.
Another critical issue the council aims to resolve pertains to the backlog of films awaiting theatrical release. Several films are currently “stuck in the can,” unable to find a distributive channel in theatres. To tackle this problem, the TFPC has decided to pause the commencement of new film productions starting August 16, providing a window to implement new regulations and thereby streamline the release process for pending films.
In a detailed statement released to the press, the TFPC highlighted a prevalent issue of actors and technicians receiving advance payments from production houses, only to take on additional projects without completing their initial commitments. This practice, the council noted, has led to considerable financial strains on producers.
. The press release noted, “It has been decided in the meeting that in the future, any actor, actress, and technician who received an advance from the producers should complete the film and move on to the next films.”
The statement went on to specifically mention actor Dhanush, who has reportedly received advance payments from multiple producers, urging all producers to consult with the TFPC before entering into new agreements with him. The council emphasized the importance of completing ongoing projects before taking on new ones to avoid further financial trouble for producers.
The TFPC also outlined the logistical steps that producers need to take in light of these new regulations. All production houses were requested to formally report the details of their current film projects to the Tamil Film Producers Association through a written letter. Producers have been given an October 30 deadline to complete any ongoing shooting activities.
A Joint Action Committee consisting of various industry stakeholders has also been established to oversee and resolve issues related to the film industry moving forward. This committee aims to provide a unified forum for addressing and mitigating any challenges that may arise from these new regulatory measures.
In conclusion, the announced changes by the TFPC mark a significant shift aimed at bringing more financial stability to the Tamil film industry. While the move to regulate salaries and halt new productions temporarily may impact current and upcoming films, it is seen as a necessary step to safeguard the producers from escalating costs and unfulfilled commitments. With the cooperation of actors, technicians, producers, and significant industry bodies, the TFPC is hopeful these measures will bring about a more structured and financially sustainable environment for the Tamil cinema industry.
