Film federation lays new guidelines for shooting amid rise in COVID-19 cases

Mumbai: The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) has shaped a “monitoring team” to make sure that all COVID-19 shooting guidelines — together with security precautions onset, avoiding filming of crowd sequences– are strictly adopted amid the surge in coronavirus cases in Maharashtra.

The movie and TV trade has been badly hit because of the rising COVID-19 cases in the state and notably the capital metropolis.

Several on-ground productions like “Ram Setu”, “Gangubai Kathiawadi” and Dharma Productions-backed “Mr Lele” halted shoots after their main actors, together with Akshay Kumar, Alia Bhatt, Vicky Kaushal and Bhumi Pednekar examined optimistic for coronavirus.

Apart from the actors, as many as 45 members of Kumar’s “Ram Setu” have additionally examined optimistic for the novel coronavirus.

According to an announcement from the FWICE on Friday, the office-bearers had a gathering with Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and warranted him that the trade can be “responsible” in following the SOPs (Standard Operating Procedure).

“FWICE in coordination with experts has laid down guidelines which all people involved in pre-production, shooting and post-production work will have to adhere to. These guidelines as of now will be applicable till April 30,” the assertion learn.

According to the new guidelines, shooting of crowd sequences and songs with dancers in giant numbers is not going to be allowed. “Wearing of masks and steady sanitization are obligatory on the units, in manufacturing places of work, and in post-production studios.

“An FWICE monitoring team has been constituted to visit sets and post-production studios regularly to check that all guidelines are being followed. Any individual or production unit flouting the rules or creating any kind of hindrance in the adherence of the guidelines will face disciplinary action,” the assertion learn.

The Maharashtra authorities on Sunday introduced a weekend lockdown in the state from 8 pm on Friday to 7 am on Monday in a bid to curb the rising numbers of COVID-19 cases.
“Shooting, setting, pre-production activities should be avoided during this period (of weekend lockdown). It is permissible to shoot from Monday to Friday. All members are hereby advised to schedule their shootings as per the above permissible days,” the assertion added.

The assertion was signed by BN Tiwari, FWICE President, Ashok Dubey, General Secretary, Gangeshwar Srivastav, Treasurer and chief advisors Sharad Shelar and filmmaker Ashok Pandit.

Maharashtra reported 56,286 new coronavirus cases on Thursday, taking its caseload to 32,29,547. Mumbai, in the meantime, noticed a single-day spike of 8,938 cases.