Producers’ guild says Board asking them to cough up more money
Sonali Joshi Pitale (MID-DAY; August 12, 2016)

A recent meeting of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) witnessed high-voltage drama as members disagreed with chairperson Pahlaj Nihalani on a range of issues, including a new strategy to avoid prerelease piracy of films — producers now have to submit films through a DCP format instead of DVDs. While the Indian Film and Television Producers Council (IFTPC) has welcomed the move, the Indian Motion Picture Producers Association (IMPPA) has raised concerns over this “expensive” option.

T P Aggarwal, president of IMPPA, argued, “Our guild consists of over 10,000 producers and they are all against this new rule. Converting films to DCP format will cost Rs 60,000-70,000. This will burn a hole in the pockets of small-time and regional filmmakers, who work around a modest budget. Not just that, if the Board recommends any cuts or asks for incorporating a disclaimer or statutory warning, the producers will have to go through the exorbitant process all over again for a second screening of their films", said Aggarwal.

IMPPA has written a series of letters to the CBFC, underlining their concerns over the new format. Aggarwal said, “We have also written to the Information and Broadcasting Ministry about this issue and are waiting for their response.”

Nihalani, in return, argued, “I am doing my job for CBFC and not for IMPPA.” CBFC member Vaani Tripathi Tikoo, supporting the decision, however, said, “It is not compulsory for producers to send their film in DCP format; they send it on DVDs, we will see it. However, it is about safeguarding them in which the IFTPC has supported us. If their film leaks online, they will end up losing crores, so it is better to spend some money on DCP.”

Bharati Dubey (MID-DAY; January 16, 2015)

Filmmaker Sanjay Gupta finds himself in the midst of a controversy with Eros International filing a complaint with the Indian Film and Television Producers Council (IFTPC) against him for alleged breach of agreement. It has claimed a recovery of Rs 18 crore for their co-production, Alibaug, citing that lead hero Sanjay Dutt was replaced in the film without its knowledge. The actor is currently serving prison time for illegal arms possession in the 1993 Mumbai blasts case.

Gayatri Sardana, secretary of IFTPC, confirmed having received a claim complaint from Eros but refused to divulge any details of the case.

The complaint reads that Eros, in 2007, had paid Gupta’s company, White Feather Films, a total of Rs 7 crore, which has now gone up to Rs 18 crore. The co-production was signed under the banner of Shivam Videotech and a budget of Rs 12 crore was fixed with an additional Rs 1.5 crore for publicity.

The film was supposed to be wrapped up by 2008 with Sanjay Dutt in the lead. The actor was apparently the primary reason why Eros went ahead with the co-production. But since the actor was sentenced to jail that year, Gupta replaced him with Irrfan, in violation of the agreement. So, Eros has filed a complaint to recover the investment.

While Eros refrained from commenting on the issue, Gupta says, “The matter is sub judice since the last few years and talking about it will amount to contempt of court.”

Bharati Dubey (MID-DAY; October 11, 2014)

Bollywood has been home to several foreign artistes, who have not only made successful careers but have won millions of fans, too. However, the Cine and Television Artistes Association (CINTAA) has recently decided to act tough on foreign imports working in India sans proper work documents. The latest development is that film and television producers, who had been urged to steer clear of such artistes, have mostly agreed to fall in line.

CINTAA had written to all the producers’ bodies stating that all foreign artistes who work in India should have employment visa; those carrying a business visa would not be allowed to be part of showbiz. The letter also clearly states that producers should discourage their members to work with Pakistani artistes as India does not have a cordial cultural relationship with the neighbouring country.

Vikas Mohan, senior vice president of Indian Film and Television Producers Council (IFTPC), agrees with the terms and conditions that CINTAA has laid down for foreign artistes, especially those from Pakistani. “When we go abroad, we follow their laws. Similarly, foreign artistes should abide by our rules. All of them should register with CINTAA. As for hiring Pakistani actors are concerned, we are also not in its favour. We don’t have a cordial relationship with Pakistan. Why should we allow them here when our artistes are not welcome there?’’ argues Mohan. The IFTPC plans to write to its members in this regard.

TP Agarwal, president of Indian Motion Picture Producers Association (IMPPA), too, has endorsed CINTAA’s stand on foreign artistes. He says, “We should avoid foreign artistes as much as possible unless it is compulsory to the story of the film. I am completely in favour of producers not signing up Pakistani artistes.
When we have so much of Indian talent why not give them a chance?’’

The Western India Film Producers’ Association, too, has decided to toe the CINTAA order. Its president, Sangram Shirke, says, “We should discourage producers from hiring foreign artistes. All the four producers’ bodies will hold a core committee meeting after which we shall be sending letters to our members informing them of our decision.”

However Mukesh Bhatt, president of Indian Film and Television Producers’ Guild states that he is yet to receive any request from CINTAA asking them to discontinue association with foreign imports. “I have not received any letter as yet but we will not allow this (disbarring foreign artistes from the industry) to happen,” he says. The Bhatts are known to introduce talent from Pakistan in their films.

VISA TROUBLE
CINTAA has decided that it will not allow foreign artistes to take up Indian films and television projects if they have not enrolled with them. Its general secretary, Gajendra Chauhan, says, “Only those who have come to India on an E visa, and not B visa, can enroll with us. Most Pakistani working in our industry of late are on a B visa.”