Women Workers in Film Industry in Hyderabad- A Critical Socio-Legal Study of Labour Rights, Workplace Safety, and Gender Justice

Abstract

The film industry of the city of Hyderabad, especially the Telugu filmmaking industry commonly known as Tollywood has grown to become one of the largest entertainment industries of India with a large number of women working in the film industry as actors, producers, costume designers, choreographers, dubbing artists, make-up artists, technical assistants, and other allied professions. There are many socio-legal issues confronting women workers in the industry, such as women being paid less, contracting out, harassment at the work place, no social security, poor working conditions and gender discrimination, despite their higher involvement in the industry. The non-standard working structure and lack of regulation around employment in the film industry also further hinders the effective enforcement of labour welfare and workplace safety provisions. The present study critically analyses the situation of women workers in the Hyderabad film industry with the help of a socio-legal framework by analyzing constitutional protection, labour laws, Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, and judicial interpretations on issues of gender justice and dignity at work. The article also examines how the patriarchy, casting and institutional barriers impact women's participation and career development in the industry. The study explores the current laws and practice to pinpoint significant implementation gaps. It also recommends policy changes, better grievance redressal systems, union representation and gender sensitive governance of the workplace, as ways to create safer and more equitable conditions for working women in the Hyderabad film industry