Hyderabad, India – The dark underbelly of the television industry is slowly being exposed, with more and more cases of financial exploitation coming to light. Several TV serial producers in Hyderabad are reportedly failing to pay actors and workers their wages for months on end, pushing them into financial distress.
According to industry insiders, some producers have not paid wages for seven to eight months, leaving daily-wage workers and artists in a desperate situation. What’s even more alarming is that in some instances, when workers demand their rightful dues, they are allegedly met with threats, intimidation, and outright refusal of payment.
“There are producers who are openly indulging in strong-arm tactics and even disappearing from the scene entirely,” said a source familiar with the matter. “While the workers suffer, some of these producers are reportedly investing their ill-gotten money into real estate projects in other states.”
Many of the affected workers are migrants who came to Telangana in search of better opportunities. With no formal contracts or legal protections, they are often left with no recourse when producers default on payments. Despite repeated complaints, the Telangana Labour Department has been accused of turning a blind eye, raising suspicions of bribery and corruption within the system.
“There are whispers of significant kickbacks reaching officials, which is why no strict action is being taken,” said an industry observer. “The silence from the authorities is deeply troubling.”
As the crisis deepens, questions are being raised about the lack of regulation and accountability in the regional TV industry. Will higher authorities finally intervene to protect the rights of these vulnerable workers? Or will the exploitation continue unchecked?
For now, all eyes are on the Telangana government and its labour department, as pressure mounts from both within and outside the industry to act decisively against wage fraud and exploitation.
