Barely a day after the new restrictions issued by the state government put all shoots on hold, leading film bodies — including the Indian Film and Television Producers’ Council (IFTPC), Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE), Indian Motion Picture Producers’ Association (IMPPA), and Indian Film & Television Directors’ Association (IFTDA) - made a plea to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray to allow a few concessions to the entertainment industry.

In a detailed letter that was shot off to the Chief Minister’s Office, the unions have requested for the continuation of post-production work so that content, which has already been shot, can be broadcast. The associations have also urged that labourers working in the production design team be allowed to stay within the premises and complete construction of sets, in compliance with safety norms. They reasoned that the move will offer shelter and remuneration to the daily-wagers.

Birendra Nath Tiwari, president, FWICE, notes that some migrant workers have begun leaving for their hometowns. “They want to avoid the fate they met last year. Some sets have been left incomplete. Only two days of work was done on the Vikram Vedha set. The sets of Pathan and Tiger 3 need to be completed. We are still awaiting a response from the CMO,” says Tiwari. In view of the workers’ safety, the film bodies have also laid out a vaccination plan, pending approval from the state government.

“The Film City Board has agreed to open a vaccination booth in their premises, and one in the Mira Road-Bhayander region. The 15,000 workers who are shooting at Film City can start [taking the jab].” The letter also highlights that the financial package announced by the chief minister should be extended to the entertainment workers, technicians and actors who fall in the daily-wagers bracket. Tiwari adds, “We are willing to share the details of these workers, including small-time actors.”

Though he understands that the 15-day shutdown is necessary to break the chain of virus transmission, J D Majethia, chairman, IFTPC, is worried about a lockdown extension. “If shooting doesn’t start after April 30, makers will go outside Maharashtra for shoots. It’s not easy for the TV industry to create a set elsewhere.”