The Telugu film industry, also known as Tollywood, is facing a potential shutdown as the Telugu Film Employees Federation has announced a strike, beginning Monday, August 4, 2025. This decision, made after failed negotiations with producers, stems from a long-standing wage dispute. The Federation, representing 24 categories of film workers, is demanding a 30% increase in daily wages.

According to a representative of the federation, wages for these workers have remained stagnant for the past three years, severely impacting their livelihoods. The rising cost of living in Hyderabad has further exacerbated the situation. In addition to the wage hike, the Federation is also requesting that daily wages be disbursed promptly, rather than being held up in pending payments.

The Telugu Film Producers Council and the Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce have been in discussions with the Federation for months, but have not reached an agreement. Producers have reportedly offered only a 5% increase, which the Federation has rejected as insufficient. The Federation has stated that workers will only resume duties for production houses that provide written commitment to implement the new pay structure. The Federation has designated Buggasamudram Muralimohan and Veeramsetty as official representatives to facilitate ongoing discussions.

The strike is expected to bring big-budget films and web series currently in production to a standstill. The impact could be significant, potentially delaying film timelines and influencing release schedules in the coming months.

C Kalyan, a veteran producer, has voiced opposition to the strike, calling the Federation's tactics "pressure tactics". While acknowledging the potential negative impact of a month-long production halt on daily wage workers, Kalyan urged a return to the negotiating table to find a resolution. He also stated that the industry is suffering massive losses and theatrical revenues have dropped drastically.

Rajeswar Reddy, former General Secretary of the Federation, stated that daily wage workers currently earn ₹1,400 per day. He also noted that wages used to be revised every three years, but producers have not shown interest this time, even after three months of talks. Reddy also highlighted the disparity in the industry, noting that producers spend large amounts on top technicians but hesitate when it comes to marginal hikes for lower-tier workers.

The Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce has criticized the Federation's decision, warning of disruption to ongoing projects and calling for a unified industry response. The Chamber clarified that the sudden strike call, without completing proper negotiations, could lead to significant losses, especially for films currently in production.

With the strike set to begin on August 4th, the Telugu film industry faces uncertainty. Efforts are underway to resolve the issue amicably and resume shootings as early as possible. All eyes are now on the ongoing discussions between the Federation and producers, as the future of numerous film projects hangs in the balance.