#Lockdowneffect: Will top actors and technicians agree to a 30 per cent pay cut?

Even as producers in Kollywood are trying to figure out what fate has in store for their films because of the lockdown due to COVID-19 crisis, producer-turned-actor J Satish Kumar aka JSK came up with three suggestions for the industry folks which could be implemented once things become normal.
Explaining his stand, JSK says, “I believe my suggestions can be implemented for the benefit of the industry.When banks can waive interest for a certain period, I’m sure financiers can also do that to help producers. It is better to get mentally prepared and start discussions with others based on my suggestions.”
Director-cinematographer Vijay Milton admits that while waiving interests will help producers, he says he isn’t too sure if giving priority to small films will be feasible. “First of all, there should be a proper rule to define big films and small films. Time and again, it is only big films that get the festival release dates,” he states, “With regard to salary, it’s high time we paid artistes and technicians based on the fate of a project rather than asking leading stars to reduce their remuneration.”
Cinematographer B Rajasekar, who is part of Arun Vijay’s film with Arivazhagan, says, “I heard financiers have agreed to postpone the interest period for three months for our project. Another film of mine, Plan Panni Pannanum, was planned for a March release. But now, we have no clue when it would get a theatrical release.”
However, he feels artistes and technicians wouldn’t agree to a drastic pay cut. He explains, “I do understand the plight of producers. But like how technicians are dependent on producers, we also have assistants depending on us. Every other department has its own issues and people will suffer if they are asked to reduce their salary.”
Composer Ghibran says he welcomes the suggestion, provided people who he has to associate with are also OK with it. “If the singer I want to work with or the studio that I work in are willing to take a pay cut, I’m fine with this. This is a chain reaction. If I take a pay cut, it will affect my monthly EMIs. So, if we get an approval from the government or any other authority stating that our lives won’t get affected, I’m ready for not just 30, but even 40% pay cut,”
he states.
JSK’s proposal
Actors, directors, cinematographers and music directors take a 30% salary cut for ongoing projects
Financiers waive interest amount for three months
Small films be given priority to release first