Asira Tarannum (MID-DAY; June 30, 2015)

Ashutosh Gowariker’s magnum opus Mohenjo Daro has suffered a setback workers refusing to construct the set at Ramdev Studios in Naigaon over payment issues. They have resorted to a ceasework since Sunday claiming that they should be paid one and half times their daily wage as they are working at a location outside Mumbai.

Gangeshwar Shrivastav, general secretary of Allied Mazdoor Union, says: “The producers have told us that the FWICE has recently passed a circular stating workers will only be paid their regular wages, and not 1.5 times of it as followed over the last 30 years. So workers have stopped the set work. I met them yesterday and am waiting for the makers to take a call on this.” The film’s line producer Lawrence D’Souza confirmed news of the ceasework, saying, "But as per FWICE’s instructions, we are paying them their regular wages.”

Interestingly, however, general secretary of FWICE Dilip Pithwa has a different version to offer. He claims that the workers are not only being given one and half times their pay but the set erection work has also resumed. “The work was stopped on Sunday due to illegal practices. The workers wanted to do their work, but some mischievous elements stalled it. The work has started and the workers are being paid 1.5 times their wages,” he adds.

Gowariker remained unavailable for comment.