In a significant move, the Tamil Film Producers Council (TFPC) has announced a temporary halt on the initiation of new film projects starting from August 16, with a complete cessation of all film-related activities, including shooting, from November 1. This decision aims to clear the backlog of films stuck in various stages of production and address the rising costs associated with artist remuneration and other expenses.

The resolution was made during a crucial meeting in Chennai, attended by representatives from the Tamil Film Producers’ Council, Tamil Film Producers’ Association, Tamil Nadu Theatre Owners Association, Tamil Nadu Theatre Multiplex Owners Association, and Tamil Nadu Film Distributors’ Association.

TFPC - Tamil Film Producers Council:

- Top Tamil Star movies on OTT only after 8 weeks in theatres..

- No new Tamil movies can start after August 15th..

- Current movies should complete shoot by October 31st..

- No shooting from November 1st#Kollywood pic.twitter.com/LNFxBhtbxq

— Raghavan Ramesh (@iam_raghavan) July 29, 2024

One of the key issues raised at the meeting was the problem of actors and technicians abandoning ongoing projects after receiving advance payments, which has led to significant financial losses for producers. Moving forward, any actor or technician who has received an advance must complete their current project before commencing new ones. The council specifically mentioned actor Dhanush, urging producers to consult the TFPC before signing him for new projects. In 2023, Sri Thenandal Films accused Dhanush of taking an advance and failing to show up for filming.

The council stated, “In the situation where Dhanush has received advance payments from several producers, the producers are requested to consult the Tamil Film Producers Association before starting work on new films starring actor Dhanush.”

Additionally, it was unanimously agreed that films featuring leading stars would be released on OTT platforms only eight weeks after their theatrical release. This measure is intended to preserve the theatrical business of big-budget films and ensure longer box office runs.

To address the congestion of completed films awaiting release, the TFPC has implemented new guidelines requiring producers to formally notify the council of their ongoing projects via official letters. All work-in-progress projects are expected to be completed by October 30 this year.

From November 1, all film-related activities, including shooting, will be paused. This step aims to restructure and regulate expenditures related to actors’ salaries and other production costs, thereby maintaining the financial stability of the Tamil film industry.

To tackle industry-related challenges comprehensively, a Joint Action Committee (JAC) has been formed, comprising producers, distributors, and theatre owners. This committee will work towards finding solutions to the various issues faced by the Tamil film industry.