Tollywood Limits Bengali Film Releases, Resets Working Hours

In a move aimed at ending perennial disputes over festival release slots, Tollywood’s leading industry bodies have drawn up new rules to prevent clashes of big-budget films and improve working conditions for technicians. The Eastern India Motion Pictures Association (EIMPA) and the Federation of Cine Technicians and Workers of Eastern India (FCTWEI) — headed by Pia Sengupta and Swarup Biswas — jointly announced that no more than three Bengali films will be released on a single day. The decision follows repeated controversies over the allocation of single-screen theatres during festive seasons. Under the revised policy, there must be a minimum gap of 15 days between two major releases, allowing each film sufficient box-office run. Smaller films, however, may release in between with mutual consent. This Christmas will see the release of Dev Entertainment and Bengal Talkies joint production Prajapati 2, Surinder Films Mitin Mashi, and one film from the Srikant Mohta–Mahendra Soni stable – Bijoynagarer Heere. For January 23, 2026, Hok Kolorob, another Mohta-Soni production, and Bhanupriya Bhuter Hotel are confirmed, while films by Ankush Hazra and Firdousul Hasan have been postponed. A new production structure has also been outlined. SVF, Surinder Films and Nandi Movies will produce six films each annually; Windows, DAG Creative Media and Camellia Productions four; and Jeet, Pia Sengupta and Ankush Hazra two. Prime-time slots will be allotted based on annual output. In a parallel move, the industry has approved a 30% pay hike for small-screen technicians and 33% for big-screen technicians, while reducing maximum working hours from 24 to 18. The ceiling for low-budget films is also set to rise from Rs30 lakh to Rs 35 lakh, offering greater flexibility to independent filmmakers.