Movies are all about talent plus money!

Kochi: Talent alone is not enough to enter the film world; money too is required. The All-Kerala Cine Costume Designers' Union, the official organisation representing costume designers in thefilm industry, is collecting Rs 1 lakh as donation for giving membership to the union.

As Film Employees’ Federation of Kerala (Fefka) permits only members of the union to work in a film, newcomers are finding it hard to get a breakthrough. A complaint in this regard has been filed before the Ernakulam district labour officer.

Razakh Thirur, a constume designer who had associated himself with many Malayalam films, including Adaminte Makan Abu, filed the plea against the general secretary of the All-Kerala Cine Costume Designers' Union.

Interestingly, the union bylaw provides for an admission fee of Rs 500 and annual subscription of Rs 500.

The petitioner argued that on June 8, he received a letter from the union demanding Rs 1. 25 lakh before July 10 for allowing the costume designer, who is not a member of the union, to work in a film.

The petitioner refused to pay and he was later suspended for a year.

As per the existing terms of understanding and provisions of employment regulated by Fefka, none except the member of an affiliated trade union shall be employed or allowed to associate with a film.

Though the petitioner was engaged in a new Malayalam film 'Edison Photos’ directed by Pramod G. Gopal and produced by Rafeek Veera, the union last week asked the film producer to cancel the contract.