Kerala Film Producers’ Association suggests pay cut for actors in view of rising cost

The Kerala Film Producers’ Association (KFPA) has urged actors to cut down their salary in view of the rising production cost and declining pre-release business returns.

The association stated that it will hold talks with other film bodies and seek their support in addressing their concerns. B. Rakesh, secretary of the KFPA, said on Friday that the remuneration of actors accounted for an average 50% of the total production cost. With rising production cost and poor returns, we have no other option but to look at cost-control measures, he said.

The KFPA representatives pointed out that even actors who had worked in a movie or two were demanding a pay packet ranging from ₹50 lakh to ₹1 crore. Such demands will hit the producers hard as they will not be able to bear the increase in the overall cost, they said.

Mr. Rakesh said that the association had submitted a proposal that the final settlement of the salary to the actors will be done before the release of a movie. However, the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes has not yet accepted it as they wanted the current practice of settling the dues before the dubbing to continue. They have told us to take up the issue at its general body meeting, he said.