*Actor- Producer & STEPS President Khushbu Sundar Highlights Financial Challenges Faced by Television Producers, Seeks Government Support*
Actor- producer and STEPS President Khushbu Sundar addressed the media following the Annual General Meeting of the Small Screen Television Producers’ Association of South India (STEPS), highlighting the financial challenges faced by television producers and outlining the association’s key demands and initiatives.
Identifying rising production costs and stagnant remuneration from television channels as major concerns, Khushbu stressed the need for better financial support and practical measures to safeguard producers’ interests. She noted that while workers’ wages are revised periodically, producers continue to grapple with increasing expenses without corresponding revisions in payments from channels.
Khushbu revealed that the association had sought financial assistance and dedicated premises from the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Mr. C Joseph Vijay, expressing gratitude for the positive assurances received. She also announced plans for a fundraising event in Malaysia in April next year, with actor Silambarasan TR extending his support as a special guest.
Addressing infrastructure-related concerns, Khushbu stated that the association’s request for a streamlined online system to secure filming permissions within three days had received approval. The proposal for dedicated premises for producers had also received a positive response. She expressed hope for further government support, concessions and welfare measures to strengthen the television production industry.
Highlighting television’s role in nurturing talent, Khushbu cited actors Vijay Sethupathi and Sivakarthikeyan as examples of artistes who progressed to cinema after establishing their careers through different platforms. She emphasised that television artistes should have the freedom to explore diverse opportunities and welcomed the support extended to the small-screen industry by those who have gone on to achieve success in cinema.
Khushbu also voiced strong concerns over the misuse of artificial intelligence to create fabricated videos targeting individuals, particularly women. While acknowledging the positive potential of emerging technologies, she condemned their use to damage reputations and cause emotional harm, urging people to exercise responsibility and recognise the serious consequences of such acts.
The AGM was attended by FEFSI President RK Selvamani, Secretary Swaminathan, Small Screen Directors Union President Mangai Harirajan, Director Thalapathy, Small Screen Artistes Union President Bhaarath, Small Screen Writers Union President Badri, STEPS Secretary Kutty Padmini, Treasurer DR Baleshwar, Founder member Azhagan Tamilmani, advisory members YGee Mahendra, Sujataa Vijayakumar, Murali Raman, vice- presidents Abu Bakr Siddique, TV Shankar, joint secretaries Mathi Oli Kumar, Malini Jayachandran, AH Sharif, and union members Pushpa Kandasamy and others.
The AGM served as a platform to discuss key resolutions, proposed initiatives and measures to strengthen the association’s collective representation, improve producers’ working conditions and address the evolving challenges facing the television industry.
