The Kerala state government will introduce a comprehensive film policy within two months. The proposed policy is expected to address major issues like casting couch, working hours, compensation, and labour contracts in the Malayalam film industry.
The announcement of the proposed policy was made by Saji Cherian, minister for cultural affairs, at the end of the first day of discussions at the Kerala Film Policy Conclave on 2nd August in Thiruvananthapuram.
Stating that the government did not intend to interfere in the internal affairs of the Malayalam film industry, the minister clarified that the policy would provide institutional support to address issues faced by the industry workers. He promised gender equality through the policy. He also said, the policy would include measures to tighten women’s safety on sets, provide maternity leave for women, set up nurseries for children of film workers, and legally combat cyber bullying. The government is also considering declaring the film industry a “creative industry” to bring it under the state’s labour laws, he elaborated.
The minister added that it is the aim of the policy to ensure that well-defined contracts are signed with workers and that timely payments are made. The endeavour would be to look into the possibility of ensuring fixed working hours and additional payment for overtime work. The government also aims to initiate talks with private cinema owners to reduce the prices of food items sold in cinemas.
The policy is also expected to address other concerns like impact of online review on films, AI-based manipulation of film ratings, OTT deals with platforms, e-ticket facilities, survival of independent cinema, etc.
