News Broadcasting
TV strike threat: Producers expect to hire ‘outsiders’, talking to channels
MUMBAI/NEW DELHI: Even as the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) had threatened to go on strike from 15 August if their demands of salary increments and eight-hour shift for workers are not met by producers, producers say that they should have the freedom to hire outsiders.
Indian Film and TV Producers Guild CEO Kulmeet Makkar said the strike was mala fide as the matter was sub judice before the Competition Commission of India. Once the CCI decided the case, Makkar added, the FWICE could submit its demands and those would be considered.
Indian Film and TV Producers Council leader and a leading television producer JD Majethia told indiantelevision.com that 7.5 per cent increment had already been given to all the workers even in the absence of any binding legal contract. “Do you think, we (producers) would let our businesses paralyse for a mere 2.5% hike,” he countered.
Indian Motion Pictures Producers Association president T P Agarwal and Makkar told indiantelevision.com that the matter was sub judice, and the FWICE demand was therefore unjustified.
Agarwal has written a detailed letter to the police commissioner for protection of producers who hire experts who are not members of FWICE.
The FWICE, which claims to have 2,50,000 members, has reportedly sent notices to the Film and Television Producers Guild of India Ltd, Indian Motion Picture Producers Association (IMPPA), Indian Film and TV Producers Council (IFTPC), and Western Indian Film Producers’ Association (WIFPA). The notice has also been reportedly issued to advertising companies, television channels and the police department as well.
“We know well how to take care of all workers — as we are aware a happy worker works well,” he quipped. The workers (working in mostly air-conditioned studios) are provided the same food and comfort as a senior technician, Majethia said.
About their other demands, Majethia categorically stated that insurance was compulsory and was done at each and every shoot and set. He also said that the workers union should first get each and every worker medically checked so that he could be assigned work in accordance with his capability — health-wise. Workers unions should also ensure qualified workers were sent on the sets. “For example, unions must ensure an electric fittings etc incharge has the required technical qualification and experience to supervise and control all operations,” Majethia said.
FWICE had two years ago called a strike, demanding salary increment, eight-hour shift, accidental and medical insurance, safety and job security. Producers’ bodies had agreed to fulfill the demands, but, according to FWICE, the promises remained unfulfilled.
“We are in talks with producers and channels to find a way out of this imbroglio,” Majethia said. Privately, however, he said, a number of workers told them that they were willing to work and were not in favour of strike. “Opinion is widely divided among the workers’ leaders,” Majethia said.
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News Broadcasting
Kamlesh Singh receives Haldi Ghati Award from MMCF
India Today Group editor honoured for three decades of journalism at Udaipur ceremony.
MUMBAI- Kamlesh Singh just turned a lifetime of sharp words into a shiny shield because when journalism wakes up a society, even the Maharana of Mewar wants to pin a medal on it.
The Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation (MMCF) conferred its prestigious Haldi Ghati Award on Kamlesh Singh, a senior editor at the India Today Group, during a ceremony in Udaipur on 15 March 2026. The national award, instituted in 1981-82, recognises “work of permanent value that initiates an awakening in society through the medium of journalism.”
Singh, who leads several editorial initiatives including Aaj Tak Radio, the Teen Taal community and The Lallantop, was presented the honour by Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar, Managing Trustee of MMCF. The citation highlighted his three decades of contributions to Indian media, innovations in digital journalism, mentoring young reporters, and his popular podcast persona “Tau” on Teen Taal, which fosters thoughtful public discourse.
The Haldi Ghati Award, named after the historic Battle of Haldighati symbolising valour and resilience, is one of four national awards given annually by MMCF. Past recipients include Tavleen Singh, Piyush Pandey and Raj Chengappa.
Other honourees this year included Padma Vibhushan Pt Hari Prasad Chaurasia, Vedamurti Devvrat Rekhe, Treeman of India Marimuthu Yoganathan, Vir Chakra Capt Rizwan Malik, and US-based researcher Molly Emma Aitken, who received the Colonel James Tod Award for contributions to understanding Mewar’s spirit and values.
In an era where headlines often shout louder than substance, the MMCF quietly reminded everyone that real journalism isn’t about noise, it’s about the quiet, persistent work that stirs society awake, one thoughtful story at a time.
