Onkar Kulkarni (BOMBAY TIMES; July 14, 2020)

Member of Parliament and actress-dancer Hema Malini feels strongly about actors above the age of 65 not being allowed to enter sets in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Last week, she wrote a letter to Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla, requesting an amendment in the Government Resolution (GR), which mentions that no cast or crew above the age of 65 should be allowed on the sets, keeping in mind their safety.

Hema told BT, “If an actor, who is over 65 years of age, is fit and willing to work, they should be allowed to do so. Why should they not be allowed to shoot on the set? Actors can’t sit at home and do nothing. There are so many TV shows that have roles essayed by senior actors. So, they should be allowed on the sets.”

Ask her if senior actors would demand or get extra care on the sets in the current situation, and she replies, “First of all, you should know how to protect yourself instead of depending on others. I am extra careful even at home. If I have anyone coming from outside for any work at home, I make them use the PPE kit before stepping in. These are tough times and you need to be extra cautious.”

Hema has also written to Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, expressing her concern over members of the industry being affected by the Coronavirus crisis. She said, “I have written to the Finance Minister, mentioning how the fraternity members are suffering because of the pandemic. Hamare jo kalakaar hai — musicians, singers, dancers, basically all those who perform and earn on a day-to-day basis — have suffered a lot, as so many live shows have been called off.”