Rising cases of COVID-19 have been scary, with many stars testing positive for the deadly Coronavirus shoots have come to a halt. It is also affecting the livelihood of the daily wage workers. After Akshay Kumar tested positive for COVID-19, 45 members from the sets of Ram Setu too have contracted the virus. Meanwhile, his movie Sooryavanshi has also been pushed ahead for an indefinite period.
Meanwhile, actors Vicky Kaushal, Katrina Kaif, Alia Bhatt and Bhumi Pednekar too have tested COVID-19 positive. Speaking about the rising cases, Ashok Dubey, General Secretary, Federation of Western India Cine Employees shared that many major films are affected due to the pandemic, he also shared that while everyone is taking precautionary measures, people are unclear about what should be their next step. Along with films, he also spoke about the TV industry too hitting a roadblock.
He told PTI, “It is a stressful time for all of us. Major productions have been affected, from Akshay’s Ram Setu, Dharma Productions’ Mr Lele to Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Gangubai Kathiawadi. The entire shooting slate has been affected. Everyone is now cautious but clueless.” Meanwhile, when it comes to the TV industry, actors Ritwik Bhowmik, Rupali Ganguly, Aditya Narayan, and singer Abhijeet Sawant were also tested positive for COVID-19. Speaking of the sudden rise in numbers, he shared all producers are conducting extensive test pre-shoot to ensure safety, hence now it is coming to the surface.
He further shared if junior artistes test positive; producers will be paying them daily wages even during their quarantine period. He adds, “The federation will step in to help too, along with Junior Artistes association if the need arises.”
As per reports in Firstpost, it also said makers are increasing the safety measures taken on the sets that include regular RT-PCR (Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction) tests
Just to update you, 18 members were tested positive for the virus on the sets of the dance reality show, Dance Deewane 3.
Ruchikaa Kapoor Sheikh, Creative Producer, Balaji Telefilms speaking about the ongoing shoots of their upcoming films, Goodbye and Ek Villain Returns said, “Ever since the COVID-19 breakout happened, we’ve cut down on the crew strength and have strictly been adhering to the safety norms prescribed by the government for shooting” ALSO READ: After Rumoured BF Vicky Kaushal, Katrina Kaif Too Tests Positive For COVID-19; Actress Goes Into Home Quarantine
Meanwhile, Vinod Bhanushali, President of Media and Marketing, Publishing (TV) and Music and co-producer of several T-Series films, speaking about Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 and Adipurush said, “Adipurush shoot is happening smoothly. It is a special effects film so we are doing a chroma shoot, where not many people are required.” He also shared shoot came to a halt after Kartik Aaryan tested positive for COVID-19.
Ashok Dubey of FWICE said, “The artists are worried but hopeful. We cannot afford the shootings to stop. All of us are taking this seriously.” ALSO READ: COVID-19 Positive Alia Bhatt Shares A Cryptic Post; Mentions She Is Going ‘Through Things’ That She ‘Never Thought’ She Might Have To
Currently, to curtail the rise in cases, the Maharashtra government has set a time frame for the citizens, one can venture out between 7 am to 8 pm on weekdays, while a strict lockdown to be followed on the weekend beginning from Friday night to Monday morning.
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