Will leave Tamil films as I cannot bear financial losses: Producer Gnanavel Raja vents over Tamil actors' high salaries

PUBLISHED DATE : 24/Apr/2018

Will leave Tamil films as I cannot bear financial losses: Producer Gnanavel Raja vents over Tamil actors' high salaries

Allu Arjun’s upcoming film “Naa Peru Suriya Naa Illu India” is set to be dubbed and released in Tamil as “En Peyar Surya En Veedu India”. A press meet was held to promote the Tamil version of the film. While speaking at the press meet, Producer KE Gnanavel Raja of Studio Green spoke about the issues faced by Tamil Film producers due to the high salary demand of Top actors, how it affects the entire business. At the same time, he has praised the Telugu heroes and Telugu Industry on being one of the thriving film industries.

 

The past 50 days (Film Industry Strike) was really a difficult phase for entire Tamil Cinema Industry. All the film shoots had to be stalled mid-way and films which were ready for release couldn’t  be released. Vishal led TPFC strike has finally ended with producers, theatre owners and DSP’s having come to an agreement of sorts over the demands laid by each stakeholder.

 

We were able to fix smaller issues, but are yet to resolve major issues in our Tamil Film Industry. It would be better if Nadigar Sangam intervenes and sorts out these issues as well. For instance, a hero from Tamil industry demands Rs. 50 crore for a Rs. 100 crore revenue movie, whereas in the Telugu film industry a hero only gets paid Rs. 15 crore for a 100 crore movie. Telugu producers are able to make films in a grand manner (rich production values) within Rs.60-70 crore with actor’s salary at check.

 

For a 100 crore movie, a hero besides demanding Rs. 50 crore as remuneration will ask Rs. 10 crore as advance to work in the film. In Telugu film industry, actors take Rs. 50 lakh as advance for a salary of Rs. 15 crore. The understanding between the actors and producers is the main reason behind Telugu Film industry flourishing. The Telugu actors demand reasonable salary.

 

 

At the same time, that level of understanding is not happening here in the Tamil Film industry. Some actors are making selfish demands in terms of salary while few definitely make reasonable demands. It will be better if all of us join together and bring in a change in this issue. As suggested by Karthi in a recent meeting, the salary of the actors need to be fixed based on the film’s revenue and a committee has to be formed in this regard.

 

A producer has to keep aside atleast Rs. 10- 15 lakh per day only for the artistssalary (all actors combined) apart from other production related expenses. Hope all the actors should understand the prevailing situation and extend their co-operation for the betterment of the Tamil Film Industry.

 

My sincere request to Vishal, who also happens to be the President of Nadigar Sangam to rework on the payments made to artists so that the producers can be saved from paying high debts for producing films. Hope the current scenario changes for the good at least within a year. I have already set up my office there (Andhra Pradesh), I will bid adieu here (Tamil Nadu), and try to settle in a place where I can earn my living as a producer. If the current scenario prevails, I will be forced to take such a decision as I cannot bear the financial losses of my films and better resort to other avenues which would prove beneficial to me.

 

Listen to Producer KE Gnanavel Raja's speech here:

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