Here it is
Is the TV industry moving out of Mumbai?
The murmur of television shifting its base from Mumbai is now getting stronger as broadcasters are clinching lucrative deals with giant studio owners from other states to shoot their shows there. With 'Siya Ke Ram' and 'Agent Raghav' being shot from start-to-finish in Hyderabad and Delhi respectively, other producers are planning to follow suit.
What has prompted the producers to think on these lines are the strike threats by FWICE (Federation of Western India Cine Employees) and its affiliates breathing down their necks. Following the strike that was called on May 6, there is a threat of another shut down on October 3 looming over them. This has prompted several television makers to consider moving their shooting sets away from the Maximum City to minimize huge losses that could be incurred from the disruption. Is Mumbai turning out to be a Nagri devoid of its Maya?
Unreasonable demands by the federation
Between the strike on May 6 and another one being threatened on October 3, the producer body and FWICE have just not been able to reach a common ground for signing the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). Says producer Saurabh Tewari, who plans to shoot his upcoming shows in Uttarakhand, "They wanted to incorporate several clauses, which were legally and practically not possible. While the producers continue to follow the old MoU terms and conditions, the federation tries to arm-twist them to agree to their unreasonable demands in their proposed MoU. Tired of this behaviour, producers are now contemplating the option of shifting their TV shows outside Maharashtra."
It's getting unsafe to shoot here
The recent shootout at Filmcity has raised a big question on the safety of those associated with the business of entertainment. Producer JD Majethia, Co-Chairman IFTPC (Indian Film and TV Producers Council), says, "The more there is an association with criminals, the more it gets dangerous to work here. Besides, one cannot work under the constant threat of a strike. The current structure of the federation and unions functioning in a cartelised way is illegal and goes against the guidelines of the Competition Commission of India (CCI). The restrictions imposed by the federation makes it difficult to deliver quality and prevents us from working in a smooth, profitable and a stress-free environment." Seconding him is producer Abimanyu Singh, who chose to shoot his show Agent Raghav in Delhi, "We thrive in a creative environment in order to entertain, which is impossible to achieve with the union threatening to stop the shoot randomly. To add to this, the whole infrastructure of the city is over-burdened. Even the cost of living, cost of labor and cost of production have become expensive."
Decentralization is the need of the hour
Nikhil Sinha, who is shooting his next show Siya Ke Ram in Hyderabad, feels that decentralisation is happening in every industry, and the entertainment world should not be an exception to the trend. "The Hindi TV industry, which is only 25-year-old, is the only multi-billionaire industry contained in one city unlike any other decentralised sector. If a calamity or power cut occurs in Mumbai, everything shuts down, but if it is decentralised, we would still be able to entertain the audience." It also helps in enhancing the product by shooting at a real location than recreating one in the city, observes Abhimanyu.
Lucrative offers from outside
While the possibility of the entire industry disappearing from the city seems unlikely, it can't be overruled if the problems persist. Majethia says, "The offers from outside ensure that not only can the product be made peacefully, but it is also economical and has a lot of other advantages. Other state governments are offering subsidies for the infrastructure, among other things. The broadcasters have been toying with the idea since the last strike and have started shooting/commissioning shows outside Mumbai already." Even as he rules an overnight exodus, Abhimanyu predicts, "Stakes are high for us and higher for the broadcasters. If the problems don't get resolved, complete business will move out. We have a commitment to the broadcasters and that can't be compromised on. Holding us at ransom means denying entertainment to the nation."
Producers are inhuman and insensitive
Blaming the producers for the state of affairs, Kamlesh Pandey, President FWICE, claims that their demands are not unreasonable. "We sent a new draft to them in the first week of March when the MoU expired on February 28 this year. It remained unacknowledged for almost three months. We also followed up with him. That's when we decided to go on strike on May 6. However, an emergency meeting was called by the producers the evening before, where they agreed to one of our basic demands, which was to give the daily wage workers a hike in their pay. They also promised to resolve the issue on June 20. However, we haven't reached a conclusion even after several meetings over three months. Why blame us? On the contrary, they are being unreasonable, insensitive and inhuman. They want our workers to work for 16 hours. They are the reason why the strike is happening."
Probable consequences of the shift
The shifting of the industry will result in unemployment in the city. Says Majethia, "Not everyone can be shifted to a new city. Producers will also face some difficulties with regards to infrastructure; offices, etc." Saurabh adds, "When a well-established industry is forced to move out of the state because of a few irresponsible groups, the maximum loss will be borne by workers. Thousands of people associated with the industry will be unemployed, studios will lose business and government will start losing revenue."
Effect on the budget
The budget depends upon the nature of the shoot, the format of the show and the locations. "The budget will go up as initially, it would require a great deal of training of the mandatory cast and crew," says Abhimanyu, adding, "If I am facing an issue, I would either tackle it or set up the show in a place where there are lesser or no issues at all." Saurabh adds, "There will be minor effect on budgets. What matters is that it will be better than working under the pressure of constant threats by unions and fear of shoot disruptions."
The solution
Majethia feels that the Maharashtra government needs to intervene immediately to make the city a better place to work in. "Apart from that, an understanding between federation and unions is needed. A restriction-free atmosphere will help us make better products," he says.
Udne Ki Aasha
Hollywood
