TFPC vs DSP: As lights go off, it is shutters down for thousands

Catering units like Ramaswamy Mess and Shanmugam Mess are huge hits also among stars including Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanth. However, the ongoing strike has brought these to a standstill, putting the livelihood of thousands at stake. 

Ramaswamy had come to Chennai in the 1980s with dreams of becoming an actor but went on to become a chef instead; one who could undertake catering contracts as massive as director Shankar’s Indian and Anniyan, big budget films with about 3,000 unit members. At the famous Ramaswamy Mess in Vadapalani, the kitchen used to wake up at 1 am in those days so that delivery could start before 5 am. However, Jayanthi, his wife who has been taking care of the business since Ramaswamy’s death, is back at her hometown now. After the industry downed shutters in protest, there is nothing left for her in Chennai, except mounting losses and the dues from production houses. 

“The business has been running smooth for the last two to three decades. But our lives have gone for a toss after this strike. We even thought of shutting down and returning to our hometown. But the film industry is everything for us, we don’t know anything else. We are hoping that the strike would be called off soon so that we can get back to business,” Jayanthi told DT Next. 

Away from the camera, far from the glamour and glitter, life is difficult for those like her. “During shoots, we need to deliver food for around 120 to 150 persons and get yelled at if we miss the schedule. But we don’t get paid on time. So we often have to pledge jewels or property to raise money to make their meals. Or else, we might lose the contract,” she said. 

Even when they managed to get payment, the profit was only about 10 to 15 per cent. Now with the industry in a freeze, the business is at a total loss. “We have been trying to get in touch with the production houses for the pending amount. But none has responded so far,” rued Jayanthi. 

Hers is one of the many lives that were turned upside down by the strike. Arunchalam Road and Kumaran Colony Main Road in Saligramam are home to countless teashops, a business that started thriving here from late 90s. 

“That is when those who dreamt of becoming directors started coming to Chennai from southern districts. We weren’t given a fixed monthly income those days, it used to be daily wage ranging from Rs 75 to Rs 120. We had to pay room rent and transportation charges. So, we used to satisfy hunger with just two cups of tea, especially in the second half of the month. That’s when many from Kerala started teashops in this neighbourhood,” recalled S Kumararangan, an assistant director for over 15 films, who returned to his native to take up farming after becoming dejected. 

BG Gopalakrishnan’s teashop on Kumaran Colony Main Road used to be abuzz every morning, with dozens of customers, all assistant directors, spot boys and lightmen, discussing films over countless teas and coffees. But now, there hardly are 20-40 customers. “Leave alone business, people here are more like family. Cinema brought all of us together. It is now a sad sight. When are they calling off the strike? Please keep us posted. The neighbourhood will start buzzing with people again then,” he said.