I hope the government takes care of our industry, too, says Javed Akhtar
While music has helped many to deal with the lockdown, the music fraternity, too, has been impacted due to the Covid-19 outbreak. But they have The Indian Performing Right Society Ltd (IPRS) helping those who are in dire need.
Writer-lyricist and chairman of the IPRS, Javed Akhtar shares, “IPRS was established to help the music fraternity. Our membership is of around 5,000, including composers, lyricists, musicians and post the first lockdown, we gave ₹7,500 each to 3,500 people, and after it was extended, we gave more.”
IPRS has six writercomposers and six music companies contributing to the fund. There are some nonmember musicians, who are also being helped by the board in their own individual capacity, shares Akhtar.
He points out that “entertainment is the first thing” that is dropped from the list of priorities during crisis, but Akhtar hopes that the government steps in to help the entertainment industry. “If we don’t start shooting, there won’t be recordings and people won’t be paid. The way the government has announced relief packages for other industries, I hope they do so for the us as well as we are a huge revenue source,” he says.
The veteran writer admits that while he is “comfortable” the pandemic has made him realise how vulnerable we are. He says, “We are all helpless in this crisis. Life will go on but there should be sensitivity towards the environment.”