Tollywood producers could receive greater freedom to decide how many technicians a production needs and whom it hires, under a framework discussed by West Bengal’s information and cultural affairs department. However, the proposal remains under discussion and has not yet become a government order.
Meeting minutes from the department indicate that guilds and federations may be barred from insisting on fixed numbers or categories of technicians when those requirements exceed a production’s actual needs. The proposed framework would also allow producers to engage multi-skilled technicians wherever feasible.
An official told the Times of India that producers would have “full freedom to determine the number and categories of technicians needed for a production, based on requirements”. The minutes also reportedly state that guilds and federations should not dictate the specific technicians a producer must hire.
The proposal places control over crew composition more directly with producers, who typically finance or arrange financing for film and television projects. Producer Firdausul Hasan, who attended the August 16 meeting, said the issue of producer-led crew selection had been discussed among industry stakeholders.
“Producers, who bring in the money, must get full freedom to determine the number and categories of technicians, based on project needs,” Hasan told the Times of India. He said greater flexibility could support more projects and create additional work, although the proposal’s employment impact has not yet been established through a final policy or independent assessment.
The framework also includes changes to guild membership and identification. Guilds would be expected to create simple, transparent and time-bound enrolment systems, while ensuring that workers are not prevented from working merely because their guild cards have been delayed. Immediate membership and card issuance have been proposed for newcomers and graduates of recognised institutions, including the Film and Television Institute of India, Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute and Rupkala Kendra.
That provision could affect how new entrants access Kolkata’s production workforce. The minutes reportedly call for a system that identifies workers transparently and avoids artificial employment barriers, but the operational details of the proposed system have not been finalised.
Technicians have not rejected the discussion. Makeup artist Somnath Kundu said the matter remained on the discussion table and was not a final decision. He also pointed to upcoming elections for all 26 guilds and the federation president’s post, scheduled for October 31 and November 1.
Kundu said federation stakeholders, producers, industry representatives and officials from the information and cultural affairs department would address the issue after the elections. A follow-up meeting was held this week, but the department has not yet issued a final order implementing the proposed changes.
