Hyderabad, July 16 — The Telugu television industry is under fire as serious allegations of wage fraud and misconduct have surfaced, particularly affecting dubbing artists, sound engineers, and studio workers associated with popular serials.
According to multiple sources, several TV serial producers have failed to pay wages for as long as seven to eight months. Artists working on the Telugu serial Bhairavi, currently airing on Gemini TV, report that they have not received their payments for over four months. Sound engineers and dubbing studios involved in the production are also yet to be compensated.
“The financial pressure is unbearable. We’ve been working without pay for months, and now even survival is becoming difficult,” said one dubbing artist on the condition of anonymity. Reports suggest that some producers have absconded entirely, evading payments while allegedly investing money in real estate ventures outside Telangana.
Adding to the controversy, there are troubling claims that producers have employed intimidation tactics against workers who demand their rightful dues. In some instances, police intervention has reportedly been misused to threaten those seeking payment, while rowdy elements are being used to silence further dissent.
Gemini TV, when approached, reportedly distanced itself from the issue, with a manager stating that neither they nor the producer have provided any payments to the involved workers. “We have not received funds from the producer. We are also not responsible for these delays,” said Shiva, a representative linked to the channel (Phone: 7019476929).
Meanwhile, industry insiders allege that the Telangana Labor Department has turned a blind eye to the crisis, hinting at possible bribery and administrative inaction. Despite repeated complaints, no substantial steps have been taken to ensure the financial rights of artists and technical staff.
“This isn’t just about delayed payments—this is about survival, dignity, and justice for hundreds of workers who are being systematically exploited,” said another affected technician.
The crisis raises urgent questions about the enforcement of labor rights in the entertainment sector. Will the higher authorities intervene, or will they continue to watch as workers are driven to the brink?
