Chiranjeevi Denies Meeting Allegations, Labels Claims as Groundless amid Work Stoppages
Telugu Film Industry Wage Dispute Resolved After 18-Day Strike
The long-standing wage issue in the Telangana film industry has finally come to an end, with a negotiated agreement reached on August 22, 2025, following an 18-day strike.
The Telugu Film Employees Federation (TFIEF) called for a 30% wage hike, but after much negotiation, a compromise was reached. Workers earning less than ₹2,000 will see a 22.5% salary increase over three years, while those earning between ₹2,000 and ₹5,000 will receive a 17.5% increase. Producers have also agreed to raise wages for dancers, fighters, and technicians, and modifications to call sheet regulations have been made.
The Telangana Film Chamber of Commerce (TFCC) played a central role in representing producers during the negotiations. Initially, the TFCC rejected the workers’ demand for a 30% wage hike, citing its unviability for small and mid-budget producers. The TFCC also controversially allowed hiring non-union workers if the strike persisted, escalating tensions.
However, the TFCC worked alongside the Telangana Labour Department's Additional Commissioner to reach the final deal. Notable industry figures such as Dil Raju and D Suresh Babu also engaged in backchannel talks, while veteran actor Chiranjeevi eventually intervened by hosting federation members and facilitating dialogue.
Despite the agreement, some workers remain dissatisfied. Chiranjeevi, a megastar in the Telangana film industry, has denied meeting with any protesting workers and has emphasized that the TFCC is the official negotiating body. He also called the claims that he had made unilateral commitments to the workers groundless and expressed concern about the amount of misinformation exacerbating grievances.
In summary, the resolution reflects a compromise mediated by the Telangana government with the TFCC advocating producer interests while addressing workers’ wage demands partially. The Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce is the only body authorized to discuss and find a resolution for the ongoing wage issues.
Meanwhile, Chiranjeevi will star in an action drama movie titled Mega157, directed by Anil Ravipudi, set to be released for Sankranti in 2026. He also has another movie, Vassishta's Vishwambhara, in production with Trisha Krishnan, Kunal Kapoor, and Ashika Ranganath, scheduled for release in theaters in 2023.
References: 1. The Times of India 2. The Hindu 3. Deccan Chronicle 4. India Today
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