WATP standoff with Artists Forum; fresh Bengali content goes on a hiatus

In the state of West Bengal, the shooting of all television shows has been stalled due to an on-going standoff between the Artists’ Forum and the Welfare Association of Television Producers (WATP). The issue has been going on since last Tuesday when senior members of the artistes' forum appealed to everyone to resume shooting.

Since 18th August, all the mega Bengali series have been impeded as disputes over regularisation of artistes' payment, due fees and working hours were not addressed by the Welfare Association of Television Producers (WATP).

Star India Private Limited has been informed that to resolve this standoff, the WATP is in discussions with the FCTWEI (‘Federation of Cine Technicians & Workers of Eastern India’), the mother body of all trade guilds in the state including the artist’s forum.

The unfortunate event has, however, caused an undesirable disruption of the supply of fresh episodes of the daily fictional programs. Consequently, Star Jalsha is not in a position to telecast fresh content for most of its shows. Therefore, until the shooting recommences and supply of fresh episodes begins, Star Jalsha shall be airing specially curated repeat episodes of its popular shows.

As per Media sources in Kolkatta Senior Bengali actor and Working President of West Bengal, Motion Picture Artists' Forum Prosenjit Chatterjee said, "We conducted a meeting with the artistes to make our standpoint clear. Our only demand is that all our payments are made on time. We have requested everyone to resume work and the forum will take care of the existing problems."

The shooting of a number of Bengali mega serials has been stalled since August 18, as disputes over regularisation of artistes' payment, due fees and working hours were not addressed by the Welfare Association of Television Producers (WATP).

According to Chatterjee, the members of Artist Forum would stick to their decision as it was not possible for them to keep working without getting paid on time.

Arindam Ganguly, General Secretary of Artists' Forum, said: "Our main agenda is to regularise the payments. We haven't stalled the shoot as most of the artistes were waiting for the shoot even on Saturday when the disruption started." while commenting on the issue to the media.

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