TV writers not being given due recognition at awards ceremonies

A show starts when the writer puts his pen to paper. If there is no script, there is no show. Why then are TV writers ignored when it comes to awards functions? Veteran writer, Kamlesh Pandey (currently writing Kuch Toh Log Kahenge) has written an indignant letter to the FWICE (Federation of Western India Cine Employees) asking why television writers aren't given the recognition that they truly deserve.

He regrets that award organisers just regard actors and not the talented writers as TRP material. He points out in his letter, "Actors are invited even if they are not nominated but writers are invited only when they are nominated or winners. While actors are given VIP seats, writers are relegated to back seats where the cameras, rarely if at all, reach."

Mr.Pandey who is the Honourable General Secretary of the Film Writers' Association (FWA) has asked all its members to boycott award functions as winners or as a members of the jury till the award organisers and TV channels wake up, take notice and give the TV writers the respect and recognition they truly deserve.

We contacted Mr.Pandey who told Tellybuzz, "Yes,  it's very unfair to our industry's writers team. Our TV industry is considered as one of the biggest in  the world. We writers are the ones who make a show a hit and bring TRP to the show. But we are ones who are not getting recognition and respect by the award organisers. We are never called on stage and felicitated, the award functions is after all the only chance where the industry and general audience can see us. Television writers Usha Dixit and Damini Shetty were declared winners of an award  but they were not called for the same. They just received a call telling them that an award will be sent to their residences. They therefore refused the award. I have written a letter to FWICE regarding this and let's see what action they will take."



Reporter: Ranjini Nair
Author: Pallavi Bhattacharya