Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; June 6, 2020)

In what is naturally a big relief for the entertainment industry, the Maharashtra government this week allowed shoots across the state to resume, subject to certain norms, such as no shooting in containment zones.

But apprehensions abound. Ashoke Pandit, chief advisor, Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) feels two norms will be tough to follow — barring people above 65 on sets, and having an ambulance and doctor on set. “We don’t want (actors like) Amitabh Bachchan to sit at home, plus we have senior technicians too. And we have to keep an ambulance on every set. Will so many be available?” he says.

ACTORS HOLD THE KEY
Trade analyst Taran Adarsh says the world is now BC (Before Corona) and AC (After Corona). “The important stakeholders are actors. Ask them if they are ready to come on sets. Of course they want to complete pending assignments, but also want safety,” he says.

RARING TO GO
Director Milap Zaveri was set to begin shooting Satyameva Jayate 2 with John Abraham, when the lockdown hit in March. “Now, I will sit with the producers and chalk out how to get on floors ASAP,” he says.

THE CASTING FACTOR
Casting directors have already opted for video calls. Abhishek Banerjee, actor and casting director, says, “We’ve to do as much work possible without direct contact.”

GREY AREAS
Actor Sushant Singh, honorary general secretary of Cine and TV Artistes’ Association (CINTAA), says there are ‘grey areas’, such as payment. “TV works on a 90-day cycle, it can’t continue. When artistes now resume work, it will be without the previous payments. The committee is having discussions to give the government feedback, some guidelines might not be practical” he shares. There’s also a cap on people on sets. Trade expert Atul Mohan says earlier, there was one person for production and actors had one attendant, so it shouldn’t be a problem.”
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Production costs will go up, but it’s a small price to pay say experts

Prashant Singh (HINDUSTAN TIMES; June 6, 2020)

The entertainment industry is delighted that shooting/post-production work is all set to resume, but there’s a ‘C’ factor few can ignore. Not Coronavirus itself, but extra costs. Industry insiders say precautions to keep the virus at bay will add at least 15% to production costs.

“It’s true production costs are going to shoot up, but what other option do we have?” says producer Bhushan Kumar, who has about three to four films that have about “five to six days of patch work [shooting] left”. Kumar hopes he can complete [shoot] work on his films “in July while taking all the precautions.”

According to experts, following guidelines such as taking breaks for cleaning and disinfecting sets etc., comes with a cost, and would also mean shorter working days and longer schedules.

Besides, maintaining social distancing, arranging for medical facilities on sets, and even transportation are going to escalate costs. Also, another challenge, they say, could be getting labour for technical jobs such as lights, art, make-up, costumes etc. as many people have gone back to their native towns.

TV producer Rajan Shahi says“increased production costs are inevitable”. “I won’t call it ‘extra’ cost but ‘necessary’ cost. And whatever amount/per cent it is, it has to be a part of the total costs. After all, it’s about people’s safety,” he says. Trade analyst Taran Adarsh concurs, saying: “Yes, production costs will go up but kya yeh kisi ki jaan se badh ke hai?”