On Strike

Workers at an Eveready battery factory are disgruntled because their wages are low compared to a neighbouring factory. The factory manager exploits the workers’ rising discontent by colluding with a traitor within the workers’ ranks to instigate a strike in the factory, part of a devious ploy to take over the factory from the benevolent but incapacitated factory owner/boss. The colluders create dismal working conditions and make use of every opportunity and incident to raise the call for a strike, to sour industrial relations in a bid to close the factory down so that they can coerce the boss to hand over ownership.

Directed by K. M. Basker, On Strike leans on a strong ensemble — Ahmad Mahmud, Saadiah, S. Kadarisman — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about drama titles of 1957.