Dil Raju on Thursday briefed the media about the progress made so far by Tollywood producers, who have been on a strike to eke out a strategy to reduce production costs. Here is what he said today:
We have been deliberating at the Film Chamber since the first week of Aug. The media knows that we are working out solutions after stalling production works across the Telugu film industry. Everyone has been trying to come on the same page. Even Bollywood and other film industries down South are closely watching the developments in Tollywood.
From now, new releases must mandatorily follow eight weeks gap between the theatrical and OTT release of a movie.
Most of the issues have already been resolved. Food and beverage costs in Multiplexes need to be affordable. Multiplexes have agreed to make the prices consumer-friendly.
Exhibitors will be met with on Friday to discuss ticket prices and Virtual Print Fees.
The Movie Artists Association has been briefed about how we are planning to control production costs. The MAA is favourable toward the ideas put forth by the producers.
We are making everything in our capacity to take decisions that will contribute to wastage reduction.
There is a final meeting going to be held very soon. Only after this meeting will we be able to say when the shoots will be resumed in Tollywood. The announcement will come in 4-5 days.
Negotiations with the Workers' Federation are almost concluded. There is a consensus between the Federation and producers over the wages to be paid. The final round of deliberations will arrive at a consensus on working conditions, the only unresolved area.
