The Cine and TV Artistes’ Association (CINTAA) is facing an internal dispute after eight elected members of its Executive Committee resigned from their positions, citing concerns about the association’s functioning and calling for fresh elections.
The resignations have brought renewed attention to questions surrounding decision-making, internal consultation and the management of official communications within the actors’ organisation.
The eight elected members who stepped down are Hemant Pandey, Mukesh Rishi, Sahila Chadha, Heta Parmar, Puneet Issar, Vindu Dara Singh, Vikas Verma and Deepak Parashar.
Their resignations were submitted to CINTAA General Secretary Upasana Singh.
Eight elected members resign from CINTAA
According to the members’ resignation letter, the decision was taken after concerns developed over what they described as a departure from established procedures of consultation and collective governance.
The members alleged that Poonam Dhillon, Padmini Kolhapure and certain other Executive Committee members had increasingly assumed control over important decisions.
The allegations remain claims made by the resigning members and have not, on the information provided, been independently established.
The group has also called for fresh elections, arguing that the association needs to restore confidence in its internal functioning.
Upasana Singh confirms the resignations
CINTAA General Secretary Upasana Singh told ANI that 11 members had stepped down, including the eight elected Executive Committee members.
According to Singh, the eight elected members submitted both their resignation letters and separate complaints outlining the concerns they wanted the association to address.
“Out of our 11 members, eight elected members have resigned and submitted their resignations to me. They have also submitted their complaints, stating that Padmini Kolhapure and Poonam Dhillon are misusing their positions,” Singh said, according to ANI.
The statement reflects the seriousness of the dispute within the organisation, although the allegations remain subject to the association’s internal processes and any response from the individuals named.
Dispute over official communications
One of the issues raised concerns the way CINTAA’s official communications are allegedly being handled.
The resigning members questioned the use of personal email accounts for matters connected with the association. They also alleged that communications with government officials and industry organisations were being managed through channels that they believed did not adequately reflect CINTAA’s collective governance structure.
Singh also questioned the use of personal email accounts for official CINTAA business.
She argued that communications should be conducted through the organisation’s official email system so that records remain accessible to CINTAA and can be reviewed when necessary.
The issue highlights a broader question of institutional record-keeping: official correspondence conducted through organisational accounts can provide a clearer administrative trail and reduce uncertainty over access to important communications.
Why the dispute matters for CINTAA
CINTAA, established in 1958, represents actors and performers working in India’s film and television industries and has a long history of addressing professional concerns affecting its members.
As a trade organisation, its internal governance is therefore significant not only for its elected representatives but also for the wider membership.
The latest resignations have raised questions about how decisions are being made within the association and whether its current leadership structure has the confidence of all sections of its Executive Committee.
The demand for fresh elections indicates that at least some members believe a new electoral process could help resolve the current disagreement.
Allegations and responses remain important
The dispute involves serious allegations concerning the conduct of office-bearers. At this stage, those allegations should be understood as claims made by the resigning members and repeated by CINTAA General Secretary Upasana Singh, rather than established findings.
A complete account would also require responses from Poonam Dhillon, Padmini Kolhapure and the other office-bearers named in the complaints.
The outcome of any internal review, formal response or election process could determine the next phase for the association.
For now, the resignations have exposed a significant disagreement within CINTAA over leadership, transparency and the way the organisation conducts its official affairs.
