Bollywood Comes To A Virtual Standstill, Strike Begins

Members of FWICE (Federation of Western India Cine Employees) went on strike since 7 this morning. Evidently, producers got it wrong and things didn’t move in their favour

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Bollywood Comes To A Virtual Standstill, Strike Begins
On August 9, SpotboyE.com reported that FWICE (Federation of Western India Cine Employees) had given notice to the Producers Guild saying that they need a wage hike else they will strike work from August 15 onward.

Thus, keeping their word, employees went on strike at 7 this morning and are protesting outside Film City’s main gate.

While Mumbai police has swung into action and is making sure that things stay under control, we hear that several shoots have been cancelled.

yeh rishta kya kehlata hai latest show update
Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai

Meanwhile, a few shows such as Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, Vaani Raani and Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon 3 had kicked off the proceedings, however, last heard they were not sailing smooth.
 

The shoot of Kaun Banega Crorepati, Padmavati, Shah Rukh Khan’s next and John Abraham’s Parmanu was also affected.

Take a look at a few pictures from the venue:

shoots at goregaon film city continue despite protests by fwice
FWICE Protest Outside The Main Gate Of Goregaon Filmcity

Evidently, the producers had got it all wrong and couldn’t stop the strike.

FWICE protest outside the main gate of goregaon filmcity
Protests Outside Goregaon Film City


Senior technicians like Binod Pradhan (cinematographer), Vikram Gaikwad (make-up artist) and Shyam Kaushal (action director) are backing the strike and it’s getting tougher for the filmmakers.

Confirming the story, Kaushal said, “We are supporting the strike. Workers’ demand of an 11% hike in wages is only fair.”

You may recall, the High Court had issued an order (of which SpotboyE.com has a copy) that the FWICE employees cannot be stopped from visiting shoot locations as long as they are not violent in their approach.

A clause in the order read, “The counsel also state that of course they should be permitted to persuade those members to support their cause. Permission granted. Defendants, however, shall not indulge in causing commotion or violence or agitation near the shooting sites.”

amitabh bachchan on the sets of kaun banega crorepati
Amitabh Bachchan On The Sets Of  Kaun Banega Crorepati 9

The Guild had seeked that the employees be forbidden to stay away at least at a distance of 150 m from the shoots in progress.

Coming back to the strike, when contacted, independent producer Sheetal Talwar said, “It’s sad but true that the strike could not be averted. The producers are now suffering.”


Image Source: Manav Manglani, instagram/thejohnabraham & twitter/SrBachchan