The Tamil Film Producers Council (TFPC) has filed a petition in the Madras High Court seeking legal action against the Film Employees Federation of South India (FEFSI) and its 23 affiliated associations. TFPC accuses the federation of unlawfully halting film productions, resulting in substantial financial losses for producers across Tamil Nadu.Justice K Kumaresh Babu, who heard the plea on Tuesday, has issued notices to FEFSI, directing them to file a response by May 7. The producers’ body has also requested the court for an interim injunction to restrain FEFSI from continuing what they allege is a “non-cooperation” strike.
Advocate Krishna Ravindran, representing TFPC, stated that while the council, formed in 1979, works for the welfare of film producers, FEFSI—established as a trade union in 1926—represents thousands of technicians and workers involved in various stages of film production. The two organisations have maintained a working relationship through formal Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs), the latest of which was signed in March 2022 and remains in force. The ongoing dispute, however, has disrupted that cooperation, prompting legal intervention.