Kolkata: After three years, producers of Bengali serials have agreed to give Tollywood technicians a substantial pay hike. The agreement between producers and the Federation of Cine Technicians & Workers of Eastern India (FCTWEI) has provided considerable relief to Tollywood's foot soldiers. However, several other key areas require attention in order to enhance the work culture in the industry, not just for serials but for films as well.
Swarup Biswas, president of FCTWEI, told the media on Monday that at least seven producers of serials from Bengal are currently working in Mumbai. Efforts are ongoing to bring their shooting locations back to Bengal. Discussions are underway with channel heads to increase the number of slots for serials in the afternoon. Additionally, there are attempts to attract more Bollywood and international film shoots to Bengal.
According to many Kolkata-based technicians working across various formats, increasing work within the Tollywood industry is vital for its sustainability. They also highlighted the importance of addressing other neglected issues. There is a strong sentiment that Tollywood must develop a culture of giving due credits. Screenplay writers and lyricists continue to be disappointed by the omission of their names. Editors of documentaries face resistance when raising the matter of co-writers' credit. "While editing documentaries, I have to go through hours and hours of footage and select every single shot to give it a structure. There is no script and quite often the director remains absent from the editing process. So practically I have to write a script at the editing table to create the desired emotional or intellectual impact. Barring a few, many directors are reluctant to give me the 'writer' credit," said editor Sankhajit Biswas.
Kolkata-based author and screenwriter Samragnee Bandyopadhyay, recognised for writing shows such as ‘Lojja', ‘Noshtoneer', ‘Uttoron', and the screenplay of ‘Grihapravesh', told TOI that the issue of missing names and stolen credits needs urgent action for overall improvement. Divyi Nidhi Sharma, the writer of ‘Sitare Zameen Par', recently wrote an appreciation post thanking the film's director and Aamir Khan for including and highlighting her name. Bandyopadhyay commented, "I agree with Divyi when he says: ‘We are the first ones to imagine everything that plays on screen. We are the original dreamers. But even while dreaming we know a nightmare is on its way'. I hope a day will come when no screenwriters need to write appreciative posts for what is their due.
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In a separate incident, Bandyopadhyay wrote the lyrics for a serial's song and discovered her name had been omitted from the credits. "When I asked the composer, he casually said it was a case of forgetfulness. If we want an industry to improve, we need stakeholders to eliminate this amnesia. Pay hikes are important, but so is proper acknowledgement. Directors, channel officials and producers have to respect our work and insist on giving our names," she said.