By Ulises Román Rodríguez
In a groundbreaking milestone for audiovisual authors in India, the Screenwriters Rights Association of India (SRAI) has been officially recognized by the country's government as a Author’s Rights Management Society under the Author’s Rights Act of 1957.
This achievement not only marks a crucial step in protecting the rights of Indian screenwriters but also lays the foundation for a more equitable and sustainable ecosystem for all audiovisual authors in one of the world's largest film, television, and telenovela-producing countries.
Screenwriter Anjum Rajabali, President of SRAI, shared insights with AV Creators News about the significance of this recognition, the challenges faced, and the next steps to ensure screenwriters receive fair remuneration for their work.
Undoubtedly, SRAI’s registration as an author’s rights management society marks a turning point for Indian screenwriters. According to Rajabali, the first tangible change will be the distribution of royalties. “Now, Indian screenwriters will be able to receive the legal royalties that SRAI collects for them. This should significantly improve their economic position and encourage them to be more productive,” he stated.
Undoubtedly, SRAI’s registration as an author’s rights management society marks a turning point for Indian screenwriters. According to Rajabali, the first tangible change will be the distribution of royalties. “Now, Indian screenwriters will be able to receive the legal royalties that SRAI collects for them. This should significantly improve their economic position and encourage them to be more productive,” he stated.
Additionally, this recognition will foster greater awareness of the importance of credits in film works. Rajabali explained that, currently, many young or new screenwriters do not receive the credit they deserve, especially when collaborating with more experienced directors or writers.
“Credit is granted based on the co-author’s status rather than their actual contribution to the script. This system should now be reformed,” he pointed out.
Unnat Pandit, Author's Rights Registrar of India, and Vinod Ranganath, CEO of SRAI / Certificate issued by the Government of India recognizing SRAI as an author's rights management organization.
The Key Role of AVACI
The journey to SRAI's recognition was not easy, but from the very beginning, it received support from the Audiovisual Authors International Confederation (AVACI). In this regard, Rajabali highlighted that “AVACI’s moral support and solidarity were decisive. Led by Director Horacio Maldonado (Secretary General of AVACI), the representatives of the Confederation’s member countries sent letters to the government to support our registration request.”
Moreover, SRAI was integrated into the AVACI family even before being officially recognized. “We were invited to every General Assembly and Executive Committee meeting of AVACI. We received a seat on the Executive Committee, and that recognition gave us the energy to continue our struggle with greater determination,” Rajabali affirmed.
SRAI participation at AVACI Congress
The collaboration also included practical support, such as training for SRAI’s executive director in Buenos Aires and funding for international meeting travel. “Every time we had to travel for an AVACI meeting, due to our lack of funds, our trips were financed by AVACI,” he added.
Training of Vinod Ranganath, CEO of SRAI, in Buenos Aires.
Next Steps: Fair Remuneration and International Agreements
With official recognition secured, SRAI will now focus on ensuring that screenwriters receive fair remuneration for the exploitation of their works. Rajabali explained that the first step will be to ensure that all writers eligible for royalties become members of the association. “This will not only provide them with benefits for years to come but also strengthen our position in royalty rate negotiations with corporations by increasing our membership,” he said.
The second step will be negotiating with end-users of audiovisual works, such as streaming platforms, television broadcasters, and airlines, to establish fair royalty rates. “We need to sit at the table with these stakeholders and reach agreements that are viable for both parties,” said the SRAI President. Additionally, SRAI will seek to sign reciprocity agreements with other collective management societies worldwide. “AVACI is assisting us by requesting its affiliates to reach out and start this reciprocity process,” he stated.
All We Imagine As Light (Payal Kapadia, 2024), Indian film winner of the Grand Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival.
In terms of author’s rights protection and management, SRAI’s experience offers valuable insights for the international community. Rajabali emphasized the importance of working closely with screenwriters' unions, such as the Screenwriters Association (SWA), which has strong dispute resolution mechanisms.
“Although unions are not statutory bodies, they can facilitate infringement investigations and support victims in court,” he explained. Once SRAI’s operations are consolidated, the association plans to establish its own dispute resolution mechanisms for plagiarism cases. “This will allow us to better protect our members’ rights and ensure their work is respected,” Rajabali affirmed.
Overcoming Challenges
The process of registering SRAI was not without obstacles. Rajabali outlined three main challenges: government delays, corporate opposition, and lack of financial resources. “The wording of the amended Author’s Rights Act can be interpreted in multiple ways, leading to delays whenever a senior official changed,” he explained. Additionally, corporations resisted paying royalties, arguing that this “extra burden” would harm their finances. “We had to respond to their objections multiple times, which required a lot of time and effort,” he recalled.
To Kill a Tiger (Nisha Pahuja - 2022), Academy Award-nominated Indian film for Best Documentary
Finally, the lack of financial resources and infrastructure was a constant challenge. “We had no institutional funding, so all expenses depended on personal money, mainly mine and, later, Zama Habib’s (a Board Member),” Rajabali stated. Even SRAI’s office is located in his home, reflecting the level of commitment and dedication needed to achieve this milestone.
This achievement not only benefits screenwriters but also sets a precedent for other creative industries in India and, especially, for audiovisual authors. As Rajabali concluded, “this is a pivotal moment for India’s film industry. SRAI’s registration will not only benefit screenwriters but also contribute to the overall growth and development of the audiovisual industry, fostering a more equitable and sustainable ecosystem for creative professionals.”
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