Shoot guidelines put a question mark on senior actors’ future
As the industry resumes shoots for web and TV projects, there are some who have been debarred from being on a set. According to the official guidelines, the cast and crew will not include anyone older than 65 years due to higher risk of infection. Actor Kanwaljit Singh was recently replaced in a show by a younger actor, thus, raising the big question of senior actors’ livelihood.
Actor Govind Namdev, 65, calls for this particular rule to be revisited. “Just because one is over 65 doesn’t mean their immunity isn’t fine. If a healthy person follows all precautions, they shouldn’t be stopped from working,” he says. Meanwhile, Nafisa Ali Sodhi, 63, feels it is “demoralising” for the elderly.
Senior actors who have resumed work feel that it should be one’s choice. Himani Shivpuri points out that it has been proven that the virus can infect people across age groups.
“It’s a scary situation. But people above the age [of 65] should not be sidelined. In this profession, as you grow older, the work anyway lessens... We don’t even get pension,” reasons the 59-year-old, who’s back on the set of her comedy series. However, some senior actors are wary to step out. Happy staying indoors till the situation improves, Aruna Irani, 73, says, “I’d like to work but health comes first”.
Rather than banning older actors or replacing them in projects, producers should “walk the extra mile to provide safe infrastructure”, feels Nitish Bharadwaj. “The job of the producers is to ensure that all the safety precautions are there properly. Then, leave it to senior actors if they want to resume work or not. If they don’t want to take the risk, then they should be replaced,” he says.
GOVIND NAMDEV
Just because one is over the age of 65 doesn’t mean their immunity isn’t fine. If a healthy person follows all precautions, they shouldn’t be stopped from working.
HIMANI SHIVPURI
In this profession, as you grow older, the work anyway lessens. Actors don’t even get pension... Paise kam ho rahe hain, we need to work.
NAFISA ALI SODHI
This is stigmatisation of the elders and highly demoralising for them. The society segregating the elderly is very bad.
NITISH BHARADWAJ
Producers should ensure all safety precautions are in place. Then, leave it to senior actors if they want to resume work or not.
ARUNA IRANI
I’d like to work but health comes first... I’m not ready to go out and work.