Bollywood request CM Uddhav Thackeray to allow post-production and set work during the 15-day curfew

A 15-day janta curfew has been imposed in the state of Maharashtra which began on the night of April 14. Amidst this, several film bodies like IMPPA, IFTDA, FWICE, and CINTAA have written to the Chief Minister of Maharashtra requesting a few permissions and initiatives that be allowed during the ongoing janta curfew. During the curfew, the state govt guidelines mentioned that all kinds of shoot and post-production activity will also not be allowed.In the letter to the CM, the film bodies urged that post-production work in a closed environment be allowed so that the content can be edited for broadcasting. 

They also requested setting work should be allowed so that producers do not face losses. They also said that people engaged in set building will stay at the set and follow all precautions. They further requested that the financial package announced for daily wage earners should also be extended to the M&E workers, technicians and actors. They also urged that if possible vaccination centres at the Film city and in Mira-Bhayander region, catering to Film & TV workers should be set up. Following the curfew announcement, shoots of several big films has been halted. According to reports, the new guidelines have led to films like Shah Rukh Khan starrer ‘Pathan’ and Salman Khan starrer ‘Tiger 3’, to put their shoot on hold temporarily. 

Talking about the resultant losses of the 15-day-shutdown, Ashoke Pandit, the President of the Indian Film and Television Directors' Association, said, "Producers will incur losses to the tune of crores again. We had just about begun to walk back on our feet, with no help from anywhere. We have held each other's hands so far, but now what should we do? Is there a contingency plan if this curfew-like situation continues beyond 15 days? It was important for us to meet and discuss if we can find a workable solution and approach the CMO with it. With the way things are going, no producer will be left with money to help out workers after a point. This semi-shutdown will become disastrous for us. I understand that the government's intention is not misplaced but in that case they must take care of workers and business all across. There should be no discrimination. This industry is recovering from a state of near-collapse. No set had broken rules and everyone has adhered to what the government had to say." Currently, Sanjay Leela Bhansali has a few days of shooting left for Gangubai Kathiawadi with Alia Bhatt. The other pending shoots include a song for Ayan Mukerji's Brahmastra with Ranbir Kapoor and Alia, Rahul Dholakia's Mumbai schedule of Shaabash Mithu with Taapsee Pannu, Amit Sharma's Maidaan with Ajay Devgn, Ahmed Khan's Heropanti 2 with Tiger Shroff, Om Raut's Adipurush with Prabhas, Kriti Sanon and Saif Ali Khan, Amitabh Bachchan and Rashmika Mandanna's Goodbye, directed by Vikas Bahl among others. Set erection work for films like the next film in the Ek Tha Tiger franchise and Pathan will also be held up.