FILM REPORT CARD: THE WAY FORWARD!
As talks start about Bollywood getting back to work, we take a look at the status of films and the plans ahead
WHAT CHANGES NOW
It’s uncertain when film and TV shootings will resume in India, but one thing’s certain — new rules will apply. Just as Scandinavian countries Sweden and Denmark have allowed shoots, albeit with a maximum of 50 people on set, sequential working of departments, temperature checks, and more guidelines.
Key industry associations like the Producers Guild of India (PGI) and Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) among others have held preliminary discussions to set guidelines.
In a statement, PGI has said, “Any final safety protocols and guidelines will be formalised only after comprehensive consultations with government officials, medical professionals and relevant industry bodies.” FWICE President BN Tiwari says, “We have contemplated on rules like no crew members of or above 60 years of age on set for about three months; having adequate masks for 12hour shoots; work in a shift system; actors will be urged to get styling from home; doctors on set; channels (for TV) and producers (for film) should take minimum guarantee for technicians and their families.”
Producer Siddharth Anand Kumar rightly puts it, “Life on a film set, with its very busy and perhaps sometimes overcrowded crew strength, will be very different now.” But IMPPA (Indian Motion Pictures Producers’ Association) president TP Aggarwal raises two points: “How many people can we reduce?” and “Even if the workers want to work, actors may not come.”
Producer Bhushan Kumar believes masks, sanitisers and basic distancing will become staple.