A major crisis has engulfed the Cine and TV Artistes Association (CINTAA), one of the Indian entertainment industry's foremost trade unions, following the sudden mass resignation of 11 executive members. Led by General Secretary Upasana Singh, the group walked out citing authoritarian leadership and deliberate misuse of power by top office bearers. The unexpected development has thrown the functioning of the actors' body into disarray, with the resigning faction demanding the immediate dissolution of the current executive committee and the scheduling of fresh elections to restore administrative integrity.
Mass Exit and Serious Charges Against Leadership
At the core of this brewing storm are allegations leveled against CINTAA President Poonam Dhillon and Senior Vice President Padmini Kolhapure. Out of the 11 individuals who tendered their resignations, eight are democratically elected representatives of the Executive Committee. Prominent industry figures who joined the mass resignation include veteran actors Mukesh Rishi, Puneet Issar, Vindu Dara Singh, Hemant Pandey, Sahila Chaddha, Heta Parmar, Vikas Verma, and Deepak Parashar. Together, they issued a joint letter criticizing the systemic breakdown of collective governance.
The departing representatives emphasized that critical administrative decisions were no longer being reached through mutual consultation or committee consent. Instead, organizational affairs were reportedly being controlled exclusively by a small faction surrounding the top leadership, bypassing the constitutional guidelines that govern the association.
Specific Allegations Against Poonam Dhillon and Padmini Kolhapure
Detailed claims outlined in the joint letter and echoed by Upasana Singh point to repeated unilateral actions by President Poonam Dhillon. She is accused of making key decisions without consulting committee members and using CINTAA's official email identity to communicate with other industry bodies without authorization. Furthermore, allegations suggest that private legal counsel was brought to official government meetings and presented as CINTAA's designated representatives without the knowledge or approval of the executive committee.
Senior Vice President Padmini Kolhapure faces severe criticism over financial conduct and self-promotion. Upasana Singh highlighted that while Kolhapure had promised to secure funds amounting to Rs 5 lakh for the union, she instead incurred an expenditure of around Rs 60,000 on a single press conference. Resigning members contend that this expenditure served personal publicity rather than advancing the welfare of the association and its members.
Unilateral Decisions, Harassment, and Demands for Fresh Elections
The resigning officials also raised grievances regarding arbitrary structural shifts within CINTAA, alleging that positions were modified without prior notice or discussion. Several members expressed frustration over constant professional friction and undue pressure within the workplace environment. Upasana Singh confirmed that these persistent issues made continued participation untenable, prompting the joint decision to step down immediately.
With 11 key members walking away, the conflict has created a significant administrative vacuum within CINTAA. The resigning faction remains steadfast in its position, maintaining that the dispute can only be resolved by dissolving the current executive committee and holding fair, transparent elections to rebuild trust among artists.
