Mini Lockdown in Maharashtra: Film and TV shootings on Hold!

On Tuesday, April 13, 2021, the chief minister of Maharashtra Uddhav Thackeray has announced that only essential services will be allowed to function. This means the film and television shootings have been put on hold till April 30. Reacting to this news, president of FWICE, B.N. Tiwari said, “It is unfortunate that no shootings will be allowed from April 14 which is definitely going to hit our daily wage workers really hard.”

TV producers have to make regular deliveries of episodes to the broadcasters. The industry was trying to get back onto its feet but this 15-day lockdown in Maharashtra will definitely affect the TV industry as the shooting usually happens on an indoor set. JD Majethia of the Indian Film and TV Producers Council said, “Yes, shootings have been put on hold. But we will speak to the government and find a middle ground. There is no need to panic.”

He adds, “As per the announcement made by CM Shri Udhav Thackeray ji, no shoots will happen from 8 PM from tomorrow April 14. We respect and stand by his decision. As few industries are allowed to work in a bio bubble situation we will also work out a plan and like last year, approach the CMO again to get an exemption from the lockdown. Entertainment industry workers are like frontline workers for now as we entertain people in such stressful times. So, hopefully, we will try to get an exemption to shoot like an essential service industry and we will be able to stand by the government in fighting this pandemic.”