COMPLETE SHUTDOWN FOR SHOOTS
Associations of producers, filmmakers and others associated with the entertainment industry have collectively decided to halt all shootings till the end of this month owing to the coronavirus outbreak
With the government shutting down gyms, cinema halls, schools and swimming pools, to stem the spread of the Covid19 virus, the entertainment industry has also taken note. The Indian Motion Picture Producers’ Association (IMPPA), Western India Film Producers’ Association (WIFPA), Indian Film and Television Directors’ Association (IFTDA) and Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) met and took a decision to halt all film and TV shootings from
March 19 till the end of the month.
Ashoke Pandit, president, IFTDA says, “We met on Sunday at the IMPPA office and decided unanimously to shut down shooting. As for the losses, we all felt jaan hai toh jahan hai.” The association will analyse the situation in the country post March 31.
Trade analyst Atul Mohan observes, “The film industry will suffer a loss of ₹80-90 crore every week. I think daily soaps will be worst hit.”
While directors Anubhav Sinha, Anurag Kashyap and Sudhir Mishra welcomed the move, they were concerned about remunerations of junior technicians such as light boys, set workers, sound assistants and the like. On a Twitter chat, they agreed to look after their staff and technicians.
Films hit include Nikamma (last schedule was to kick off from Sunday), the Ooty schedule of Mukesh Bhatt’s Sadak 2 (March 19-24) and Sanjay Gupta’s Mumbai Saga. Then there’s Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2. “Our shoot stopped earlier due to Kartik Aaryan’s injury. Then we were told by the Uttar Pradesh government that shoots are cancelled due to the virus,” says a source.
While Brahmastra’s final schedule has been pushed to April, the spin-off of Student of the Year — backed by Dharma Productions and Netflix — is now on hold. Apoorva Mehta, CEO of Dharma Productions, says: “We decided to suspend all our shoot schedules till March 31, to minimise the risk of exposure to our cast and crew.”
Daily soaps are a constant source of entertainment for most viewers, but the novel coronavirus has affected TV shoots too. While the general entertainment channels are figuring things out, shooting to create as many episode banks as possible over the next three days and deciding what to air once they run out of fresh episodes, many producers and actors welcomed this decision.
A statement from the ZEE group says, “Keeping in mind the health and safety of all concerned, ZEE will stop all shoots in the timelines stipulated in the directive. Talks are still on to arrive at a
strategy that ensures viewers have the best content to look forward to in the said period.”
Producer Rajan Shahi’s new show Anupamaa, set to launch on Star Plus on March 16, has been deferred. “Since the show had not launched, it was better not to go ahead with the shoot. We will take a call by March 31. I endorse the decision as safety is above everything else.”
Producer of Bhabiji Ghar Par Hain, Binaifer Kohli, says,
“It’s like we are sitting on a time bomb. I felt guilty that we were unable to stop shooting. Now I am relieved.”
Creator of Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, Asit Kumarr Modi, is cautious. He says,
“We are all watching the situation and share the government’s concerns. We will comply with the decision of the associations, however, since many offices and government departments are functioning, one can only wonder if we could have handled the matter differently.
Many people are dependent on daily wages they earn on the sets.”
We had to dismantle the set. Since we are done with the rest of the film and only a song is left, we are confident it won’t affect our release plans. It’s sad, but the safety and well-being of our team comes first.
SABBIR KHAN DIRECTOR
Yes, the film business is going to take a hit but we had to take this step for the larger good of society. There is too much at stake. It’s also a sign that we need to slow down and the human race isn’t invincible. I’m sure we will pull through this. RAKUL PREET SINGH ACTOR
Kavita Awaasthi
We are abiding by the orders of the film bodies. Right now, the health of every person is important. We will resume the shooting once things are better.
ATUL AGNIHOTRI PRODUCER
There will be losses but there is no cost to a happy and healthy life... The shutdown will affect daily wagers and as producers and broadcasters, we should take care of them. I am going to look after the people in my unit. BINAIFER KOHLI PRODUCER
While shooting, you are in close proximity to a lot of people and you never know where you might get the virus from. It must be scary for everyone on set. Yes, it will be a setback for everyone... but we must do all we can. DIVYANKA TRIPATHI DAHIYA ACTOR
Why should actors and production people suffer while shooting every day, unable to quit as they have to earn. I am worried about daily workers’ salaries, telecast issues... the economy will also take a major hit but life is most important right now. KARAN PATEL ACTOR