Directors give one day’s time to technicians’ federation to explain abrupt disruptions
Times of India | 6 February 2025
12 Kolkata: Members of Directors Association of Eastern India (DAEI) have decided to give one day's time to Federation of Cine Technicians of Eastern India (FCTWEI) to give an explanation on why it has abruptly disrupted shootings.
This was decided at a meeting on Wednesday evening. On Thursday, DAEI will urge producers and broadcasters to address the impasse issue, as it affects not only directors but also themselves.
At least 100 directors gathered at Srijit Roy's set on Wednesday morning, where 20 members of the art setting department had been absent for three consecutive days. Roy's estimated production loss for studio rental during this period was Rs 1 lakh. Another director, Joydeep Mukherjee, known for his ‘Ganer Opare' and ‘Eken Babu' series, incurred losses of Rs 9 lakh due to no shooting of the second season of his series, ‘Achintya Aich', starring Ritwick Chakraborty and Saswata Chatterjee, which couldn't start on Jan 27. Mukherjee took to Facebook Live on Wednesday to share his experience of harassment.
Calls to the Federation of Cine Technicians of Eastern India (FCTWEI) president Swarup Biswas about the impasse went unanswered.
Subrata Sen, president of Directors' Association of Eastern India (DAEI), said directors were frustrated by the silence of other stakeholders and FCTWEI. "We are outraged by the turn of events. Directors may not go to the floors from Friday onwards. While shooting can always continue, directors might not be present on the floor if a proper explanation is not given to us by FCTWEI. We will not return to the set unless we receive assurance that the practice of arbitrarily blacklisting individuals and abruptly withdrawing technicians will cease. This stance is non-negotiable. At least 100 directors went to Srijit's sets on Wednesday to show solidarity. Is a film or series solely a director's responsibility? Halting production affects producers and broadcasters as well. Why aren't they speaking up? We're voicing our concerns and facing the consequences. Some even accuse 'star directors' of colluding with FCTWEI. We've been fighting for everyone's benefit in the industry, and this criticism is unwarranted," Sen said.
Sen noted that junior technicians, too, suffered significant financial losses due to this non-cooperation. "Kaushik Ganguly's film never took off as a result of which, junior technicians lost approximately Rs 1.3 crore. While Kaushik may not be speaking out, we're aware of his humiliation. Had junior technicians worked for 15 days for Joydeep's shooting, they would have earned Rs 35 lakh. That is all uncertain now. For each day of absence, Srijit must have lost Rs 35,000 for shooting floor rent. He must have spent at least Rs 15 lakh for buying raw material to make the sets," Sen said.
Mukherjee is equally frustrated. "We were scheduled to start shooting on Jan 27. Despite repeated emails to FCTWEI, we received no positive response to resolve the situation. We have reserved shooting locations and paid in advance. Alipore Jail was a location, requiring an advance payment. We've lost at least Rs 9 lakh. Some venues have informed us we could still shoot within a month, but how can I coordinate new dates with my artists? They all have busy schedules. My entire unit of ‘Chalbaaz' had to return from London because of FCTWEI in 2017. The same harassment continues."
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