'Huge salaries of lead actors should be controlled'; Producer-actress Sandra Thomas writes letter to Film Chamber suggesting changes

KOCHI: Producer and actress Sandra Thomas has written a letter to Film Chamber and Film Producers Association demanding fundamental changes in workplaces. Sandra clarified that the letter is not to oppose the organizations, but to demand the protection of women in cinema and encourage corrective measures.

"Despite days after the Hema Committee report came out and there was a big discussion in the society, none of the film organizations have given a clear opinion or taken a stand. That gives the public more scepticism. I am very angry and saddened to know that the field in which I work is a place where such misogynistic and inhuman activities are taking place. Therefore, there must be fundamental changes in the workplace. For that, I am offering some suggestions from my experience as a woman producer.

Although the film industry fixes salaries based on the market value of the filmstars, the huge salaries of the lead actors should be brought under control through negotiations. Only then will the producer be able to pay decent salaries to the other actors even though it may not be equal to the lead actors. Steps should be taken to form ICC on film sets. Members of ICC should be from outside the film industry. One member must be a woman and a government representative.

A strict provision should be made that those in positions of power should not be influential, obvious political party workers, office bearers of caste organizations, or office bearers of organizations linked to the film sector. Criminal offences committed in movie sets or studios should be reported at the police station without settling within the organizations,' Sandra Thomas stated in the letter.