Telangana – Hyderabad: Behind the colourful sets, dramatic storylines and glamorous world of television serials lies a grim reality that many workers in Hyderabad’s TV industry say they are forced to endure—long working hours, inadequate rest, delayed wages and a lack of job security.
Workers associated with television serial production allege that some producers are making them work for 15 to 18 hours a day, often without a proper weekly holiday. From voice technicians and production assistants to editors, coordinators and dubbing personnel, several workers reportedly begin their day around 7:30 a.m. and continue working until 10 p.m. or even midnight.
For many employees, what was expected to be a regular job has reportedly turned into a relentless work routine. Workers say the pressure is affecting their physical and mental well-being, with some falling ill after struggling to cope with prolonged working hours.
No Clear Working Hours, Workers Allege
Unlike many organised sectors where working hours, shifts and weekly holidays are clearly defined, workers in the television serial industry claim that there is often no uniform system governing their schedules.
Workers allege that questioning excessive working hours can sometimes result in threats of removal from the project or loss of employment. Since many workers come from economically vulnerable or middle-class families, they say they are reluctant to raise their voices against alleged workplace practices for fear of losing their livelihood.
The issue, workers say, is not about any particular individual or production house, but about the need for a proper system of labour protection and accountability across the television industry.
Festival Holidays Also Under Question
Workers have also raised concerns over holidays during major festivals and government-declared holidays. They allege that production schedules sometimes continue even during important occasions, leaving workers with little or no opportunity to spend time with their families.
They are particularly demanding clarity and enforcement regarding holidays associated with festivals and national occasions such as Sankranti, Republic Day, Maha Shivaratri, Ugadi, Holi, Good Friday, Ramzan, Ambedkar Jayanti, Sri Rama Navami, May Day, Telangana Formation Day, Bakrid, Independence Day, Vinayaka Chavithi, Gandhi Jayanti, Dussehra, Deepavali and Christmas.
Workers point out that the Telangana Labour Department has issued orders concerning holidays and wage-related protections for workers covered under applicable labour laws. However, they allege that implementation and monitoring in the television production sector remain inadequate.
Delayed Salaries Add to Workers’ Problems
Another serious allegation concerns delayed payment of wages. Some television workers claim that their salaries are withheld for months, creating severe financial difficulties for families dependent on their income.
For daily-wage and project-based workers, delayed payments can mean difficulties in paying rent, school fees, medical expenses and household bills. Workers say timely payment of wages should be treated as a basic workplace right rather than a favour.
Who Will Monitor the Industry?
The workers’ concerns raise a larger question: Who is responsible for monitoring working conditions in Hyderabad’s television industry?
While the government has labour laws and mechanisms intended to protect workers, employees allege that effective inspections and grievance redressal mechanisms are either inadequate or inaccessible to them.
Workers are demanding that the authorities examine whether television production units are complying with applicable provisions relating to working hours, weekly holidays, wages, workplace safety and other labour protections.
At the same time, allegations concerning the behaviour of individual producers or production houses should be independently verified before any conclusions are drawn.
Telangana Identity and Workplace Sensitivities
Some workers have also alleged that certain production houses operating in Telangana fail to adequately respect local cultural and linguistic sensitivities. Claims have been made about Telangana dialects and language being mocked or disregarded.
Such allegations, however, require specific evidence and should be examined separately from the broader labour issue.
For workers, the central demand is simple: irrespective of where a producer, technician or worker comes from, everyone working in Telangana should be treated fairly and protected under applicable law.
A Call for Immediate Action
The television industry provides employment to thousands of people, both on and off screen. Camera crews, editors, light technicians, makeup artists, assistants, dubbing professionals, coordinators, drivers and numerous other workers form the backbone of every production.
Workers say the glamour associated with television should not hide the hardships faced by those working behind the scenes.
They are therefore urging the Telangana government and Labour Department to conduct appropriate inspections, examine complaints, ensure compliance with applicable labour regulations and establish an effective grievance mechanism for television and entertainment workers.
The question now is whether the authorities will listen to the voices coming from behind the television screen—and ensure that those who create entertainment for millions are themselves guaranteed dignity, fair wages, reasonable working conditions and basic workplace rights.
