Papiya Adhikary dissolves FCTWEI, launches EIMPCC to reform Tollywood
Times of India | 4 June 2026
Kolkata: In the presence of major Tollywood stakeholders and actors, Tollygunge BJP MLA Papiya Adhikary on Wednesday introduced the Eastern India Motion Pictures & Cultural Confederation (EIMPCC), an organization she now leads as president. According to her, the confederation will, among other initiatives, mandate a 12-hour maximum shift for technicians. This move aims to finally resolve the countless complaints of monopoly and high-handedness levied against the Federation of Cine Technicians of Eastern India (FCTWEI).
Adhikary told TOI that EIMPCC was formed “long ago”. She explained, “Agnimitra (Paul) was the president of EIMPCC before I took charge, but we faced severe resistance whenever we tried to become active or recruit members. Because the organization is centrally registered, they claimed it was an invalid body. Wednesday’s meeting at the Technicians’ Studio, where we dissolved the Federation, was highly sensitive. On Thursday, I will meet with producers before looking into the Eastern India Motion Pictures Association (EIMPA). I have been hearing endless allegations of money siphoning against the Federation. Producers were financially exploited, and individuals had to pay a 2.5% to 7% kickback to the Federation just to secure work. The Federation has been used as a vote bank, and they even maintained a ‘gunda bahini‘ (gang of thugs) that wreaked havoc on the lives of anyone who dared to protest.”
Many industry stakeholders who previously criticized the Federation’s high-handedness are thrilled with what they termed Adhikary’s “bold and brave move.” There is widespread optimism that this shift will usher in a better work culture in Tollywood, driving more investment and employment opportunities. “I hope we will no longer suffer the way we have over the past decade,” said producer Himanshu Dhanuka, whose London film shoots were stalled twice due to Federation issues.
Few have raised questions about the legitimacy of dissolving Federation this way. Director Sanghamitra Chaudhuri, who transitioned from the BJP to the TMC before eventually quitting politics, said, “Those in the industry with nationalist sentiments had formed a registered organization called EIMPCC back in 2018-2019. I was the general secretary of EIMPCC then. Despite all the issues with Federation, is it possible to announce the abolition of guilds this way?” Director Indranil Roy Chowdhury, who was one of the 15 litigants to have taken the Federation to court, said, “I see no reason to stop a trade union like FCTWEI. It has some legitimate functions. Unfortunately, the organization was run in an abusive manner harming the technicians. I would rather look at reforming the federation in the right direction.”
While some questioned whether a trade union body like the Federation could be dissolved in this manner, Adhikary said, “The Federation has committed a sin. We have identified five key sinners — Hassan, Babai, Sujit Hazra, Swapan Majumdar, and Bapi Malakar. On behalf of EIMPCC, we have asked them to stay away. The 26 guilds under the Federation have been dissolved. Instead, we will establish four streamlined guilds for directors, cinematographers, production controllers, and art and costume departments. In fact, director Srijit Mukherji suggested retaining the guild for art and costume. Each department will be managed by two coordinators, who will be available at the Technicians’ Studio thrice a week to register names and credentials. We are also introducing an SIR (Screening or Selection) system in Tollywood to expose those who bought their way into jobs.” Assuring that all deserving technicians would get work, Adhikary added, “EIMPCC will also take responsibility for the healthcare needs of members and their families.”