The Coronavirus lockdown has brought the entire entertainment industry to a standstill with no shootings or new releases. It was, however, today, that is, after three long months that the shootings in the city were supposed to resume, albeit with all the guidelines and approvals issued by the government. The sets of some big TV shows like Kumkum Bhagya, Kundali Bhagya, Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, Yeh Rishtey Hain Pyaar Ke and Bhabiji Ghar Par Hain among others were properly sanitized, waiting for the team to take over. However, the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) and Cine And TV Artistes' Association (CINTAA) canned all shoots at the last minute.
It appears that as per The Federation, the Indian Film & TV Producers' Council (IFTPC) had failed to fulfill some of their demands that included an 8-hour shift for workers, insurance cover of Rs 50 lakh and no pay cuts. To get a producer's point of view, Pinkvilla got in touch with Bhabiji Ghar Par Hain maker Binaifer Kohli and she sounded quite sceptical in executing the above-mentioned rules and demands. For Binaifer, an 8-hour-shift won't be enough and she gave a fair explanation to that.
"An 8-hour shift doesn’t work for me because how will I make a bank in that? First I have to test 40-50 people with a thermal gun, then oximeter, have to mark their daily report. Apart from this, I am not allowed to have anyone in the sets when the actors are there. Lightmen will check the lighting then go out, then the actors will go out and they will check for another angle, so if you see an episode which would have taken one and a half-day will now take two and a half days. Then there is a staggered lunch break. How will do we work and with what output? We have to stay on-air with a bank of episodes in case there are small closures," said Kohli.
Talking about pay cuts, Binaifer added, "All those who are highly paid and say that they will not take pay cuts, and we are told we can’t replace the actors, why? I can’t afford them, no? If I own a saree shop, and I can’t afford to keep a Banarasi saree I will only show you other material, right? Whatever is viable from the business point of view, the channel will do."
Further, she also addressed difficulties on working with only 33% of the total crew, the challenges that they will face amid monsoon and how actors with a big pay are not ready to go for a cut.
image source: jagran/com