One man cannot close Bollywood shutters: Ashok Pandit

Mumbai: Actor-producer Mithun Chakraborty seems to be taking on producers association with his silence on the issue of erring workers, irks producers associations. Being the Chairperson of the Film Studio Settings and Allied Mazdoor Union, the producers expect him to take action on the same.

Ashok Pandit, speaking for Indian Film And Television Directors Association, said, “Mithun Chakraborty is well-aware of association secretary Gangeshwar Srivastav and his extortionist behaviour. We had requested him for replacement several times.”

Dharmesh Tiwari, President, Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE), expressed his opinion that an enquiry should be set up into Monday’s incident of workers being assaulted by the production team. “Stopping work is no solution,” he stressed, adding that producers should work with unions and not bow down to political parties.

Writer Kamlesh Pandey, General secretary FWICE, said that Ganesh Srivastav has been debarred for 15 years. “We have issued several warning to him on complaints of extortion. This racket should stop, else producers will be forced to work with people outside the union,” he avered.

Producer JD Majetia pointed out that it is the workers who actually lose. “When we stop shooting, everyone is affected. Strike is no solution, ever.”

Gangeshwar Shrivastav’s debarring means that his strike call may not hold strength or be of consequence, as he is no longer a member. “One man cannot close Bollywood and TV shutters,” says Ashok Pandit. “And history shows that the one affected most by the strike is always the poor mazdoor. Watching any old classic will teach you that lesson!”