Kolkata, Oct 31 Elections to several guilds representing different sections of the Bengali film industry, along with the election for the post of president of the Federation of Cine Technicians and Workers of Eastern India, were being held across four studios on Saturday.
Industry sources said elections are being held for five key guilds – make-up artist guild, cine video costume guild, craft work guild, cine writers’ guild and the cine video assistant director guild.
On November 1 (Sunday), the remaining 11 guilds will vote—including sound, electrician, hairdresser, cinematographer, stunt and junior artiste guild, the sources said.
BJP MLA and Bengali film actor Rudranil Ghosh said the situation in Tollywood had been bad in the previous regime, but things had changed now.
“The situation in Tollywood was bad. Things have changed. People associated with the industry are now getting an opportunity to exercise their democratic rights through the elections,” Ghosh said.
The polls are covering 16 guilds across four studios, with the election to the Federation president’s post being among the significant contests.
Veteran actor Mithun Chakraborty, who is an adviser to the Kolkata International Film Festival (KIFF), expressed hope that the electoral exercise would strengthen democratic traditions in the Bengali film industry.
“I wish the democratic tradition prevails, and I am sure about it,” Chakraborty said to a question.
(PTI News)
