FWICE members go on strike; shoot of 'Dilwale', 'Dangal' hit

Pic Courtesy: Movie still

Mumbai: The strike by members of Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE), the apex body of the various industry workers' unions, affected the shooting of Shah Rukh Khan's upcoming "Dilwale", Aamir Khan's "Dangal" and Sanjay Leela Bhansali's "Bajirao Mastani".

Called by FWICE along with Cine and Television Artistes Association, the strike in support of demand for better wages and improved working conditions, also stalled the shoot of various films and television projects in Mumbai and other cities.

Members of nearly 22 associations including Indian Film & Television Directors' Association (IFTDA), Association of Film & TV Editors, Cine Costume & Make-up Artist, Hair Dresser Association, Film Writers' Association, Western India Cinematographers Association (WICA), Cine Dance Association and others are on a strike today.

"There is no shooting taking place at Film City (film studio), Madh Island and other places in Mumbai. We requested makers of 'Bajirao Mastani' (shooting ongoing at Film City, Mumbai), 'Dilwale' being shot in Hyderabad, 'Dangal' (shooting underway in Haryana) to stop shooting and they agreed. The stars have always been supportive," B N Tiwari, President of Sound Association of India, told PTI.

"Beside movie shootings, filming of several songs and TV shows like 'Maharana Pratap' have been affected," he said.

The friction between Producers Association and FWICE has been on since February this year when the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two parties expired and they failed to reach to an agreement on its renewal.

Earlier, the FWICE had reportedly issued an ultimatum to the producers that if they do not sign the long-pending MoU by October 2, all its 22 affiliates will go on indefinite strike starting from October 3.

Tiwari said negotiations with the producers on their demands are on and they are holding a meeting tonight to resolve the issue.

He added they do not want stretch the strike as it is the workers and artists engaged on per-day payment who will suffer the most and it is a matter of their bread and butter.
"The strike affects workers the most. We have a meeting tonight. We will try to resolve it at the earliest," he added.