Kerala Film Chamber plans token strike over industry issues

The Kerala Film Chamber and the producers' association are preparing to stage a token strike to address pressing concerns in the Malayalam film industry. A crucial meeting to finalize the date is set to take place on March 5 at the Film Chamber’s office in Kochi.

According to Saji Nanthyattu, General Secretary of the Kerala Film Chamber, the protest will focus on key demands such as exemption from double taxation and securing industry status for Malayalam cinema. However, the issue of high actor remuneration—a major point of debate—will not be included in the strike. Instead, a separate discussion with the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) is planned to resolve the matter.

The chamber has also indicated that an indefinite strike may be considered depending on the outcome of this protest.

The Film Chamber and the producers’ association recently convened to discuss industry challenges, taking a strong stance against producer Antony Perumbavoor for his allegations against senior producer Suresh Kumar. Distributors and exhibitors have also extended their support for the strike.

Initially, the Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA) had backed the protest but later withdrew, citing concerns over its potential impact on the industry. Internal conflicts within the producers' association also reportedly influenced FEFKA’s decision to step away.

Meanwhile, AMMA has distanced itself from the strike, stating that discussions on actor remuneration would only take place once a new executive committee is formed. The tensions between producers escalated recently, prompting Antony Perumbavoor to delete his controversial Facebook post against G. Suresh Kumar.