Shooting for films, TV shows and web series had come to standstill from March 19. Now as we enter the fifth phase of the lockdown the same can resume as per Maharashtra government. However, there are certain rules and guidelines that have been issued for the same.
As a matter of fact, Government Resolution (GR), the Cultural Affairs Ministry said that producers will have to conduct pre-production and post-production works by adhering to the guidelines laid down by the government.
These shoots have to be held in places that are not containment zones. Apart from the main cast, only 33 per cent of the crew can be present at the time for the shoot. Rather than having open call time to arrive on the set, there has to be a specific time window for everyone to arrive on the set. Every person that has to be on the set needs to have an ID and govt’s contact tracing app – Aarogaya Setu installed on their phones.
There will be a person to check the temperature on the cast and crew on a regular basis. In addition to this, an Ambulance, doctor and nurse have to be present on the set at the time of the shoot. It is also encouraged that people follow social distancing while shooting and take utmost care of their personal hygiene. No crowds or fans can gather to watch the shoots for the foreseeable future. Expecting parents are not allowed to be on the shoots and even senior actors that are above 65 years of age under these restrictions are not allowed on the sets.
There is also a directive that all papers of scripts etc should be disposed of properly post the shoot. The shooting has to take place in a closed environment and specific rules have been shared for outdoor shoots. Wearing masks for crew members is also necessary as per these new rules.
To resume shoots, producers will have to apply to the managing director of the Maharashtra Film, Theatre, Cultural Development Corporation, the Dadasaheb Phalke Chitranagari in Goregaon, Mumbai, and to district collectors outside Mumbai.
They have also encouraged that auditions etc be taken online and use technology to avoid physical contact in look test etc as well.
It is a comprehensive set of instructions that the Maharashtra government has come up with under what it terms “mission begin again”. Ekta Kapoor took to her Twitter to thank the Maharashtra government for allowing the shooting to resume.Would like to express my sincerest gratitude to the honourable @CMOMaharashtra UddhavJi, for considering our requests to begin work in a phased out manner by easing restrictions on films and television shooting. (1/2)
— Ekta Kapoor (@ektarkapoor) May 31, 2020
@fwicemum thanks Shri @uddhavthackeray ji @OfficeofUT @CMOMaharashtra for adhering to the appeal made by us to allow the shoots, post production & recordings with proper govt guidelines. #MissionBeginAgain @ashokepandit @BNTiwar16902945 @Ashokdubey44 @gangeshwaronweb
— Federation of Western India Cine Employees (@fwicemum) May 31, 2020
“This is a welcome decision. Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah’s fans have been waiting to watch the new episodes and we thank the Government for allowing us to shoot now by following the guidelines. Hopefully, we’ll soon be able to resume the shootings after receiving the final permissions from authorities and deliver quality entertainment to our audiences which they’ve been so eagerly waiting for. Even during the lockdown, our show gave people something positive and fun to watch along with their family. The show has been spreading happiness even during these trying times when things were uncertain and we plan to continue spreading smiles as we’ve been for the last 12 years,” says Mr Asit Kumarr Modi, Creator of the show Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah.
While it is a really comprehensive report that the government has come up to make sure that shoot can start even as we continue to wage a war with the pandemic but ensuring all these things are followed at the sets will be a different ball game altogether.
For instance, getting all the facilities such as a nurse, doctor, ambulance et al and the masks and managing with a reduced crew will add to the costs and the budgets of the shows. In addition to this with certain studios already being used as COVID-19 centres finding more enclosed locations for the shoots may not be as easy as it sounds. For example, the Mehboob Studio in Bandra is currently being used as a COVID care facility.
Furthermore, how does one make sure that the regular temperature checks are being done and all the other recommendations are being followed? There is no official mechanism that is devised to make sure things work in tandem with the plan.
These Activities Will Be Limited To Containment Zones Until June 30
These Activities Will Be Allowed In Mumbai, Pune And Other Parts Of Maharashtra From June 3
Share
Tweet
