On Tuesday, filmmaker and Yash Raj Films’ (YRF) head honcho Aditya Chopra threw open the doors of his studio to kick off the vaccination drive, thus staying true to his word of inoculating 30,000 daily-wagers of the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE). Even as the first day saw close to 3,500 workers getting immunised, the drive has faced a setback in the form of anti-vaxxers in the industry. 

With many harbouring misplaced fear and suspicions about the vaccine, the studio and FWICE find themselves bearing the additional responsibility of educating workers about its necessity. In a bid to encourage people to take the jab, FWICE has now adopted the no-vaccine-no-shoot policy where only those who have taken the first dose will be allowed on a set.

Pappu Lekhraj, who supplies the largest number of daily-wage artistes to Hindi film productions, reveals, “It has been a struggle on the part of the studio and FWICE to convince people to get inoculated. YRF is sponsoring the vaccination of workers and their families, while [the cine body] has announced that unless a worker takes the jab, he/she won’t be allowed back on set. Be it YRF or Bhansali Productions, there’s an emphasis on vaccinated workers.”

Going forward, several other production houses, including Excel Entertainment and Rohit Shetty Picturez, will follow the policy. Ashok Dubey, general secretary, FWICE, says, “Very few daily-wage artistes, workers and spot boys had filled the form [to take the shot]. But when the initiative kicked off, many others came forward. We have told them vaccination is compulsory, and that producers will call only those immunised for their shoots. So, out of the fear of losing jobs, people are now getting jabbed.” 

YRF, one of the biggest studios of Bollywood, meanwhile is going full steam ahead on its multi-phase vaccination programme. Akshaye Widhani, senior vice president at the studio, said, “After inoculating all the employees at the studio and the crew members of our films, we have now started the vaccination drive for the Hindi film industry. This will result in the daily-wage earners returning to work and gaining financial stability. The drive will have to take place in phases, given the huge number of vaccines that are required to cover the industry.”

BOMBAY TIMES (February 7, 2019)

After the success of Golmaal Again and Simmba, Rohit Shetty is all set to give the audience a new surprise. The filmmaker has signed Farah Khan to direct a film under his production house, Rohit Shetty Picturez.

Farah says, “Sometimes, the universe conspires to give you what you didn’t even imagine. Together with Rohit, who I genuinely love as a brother and whose work ethic I respect and share, I can only promise a mother of all entertainers! I can’t wait to say ‘Roll, camera...’ for this one.”

Rohit shares, “It’s a privilege for my banner to have Farah direct a film for us, as she is talented and hard working. It will definitely be a wonderful association. I can’t wait to start work with this powerhouse of talent. I am looking forward to it.”

The film, which will see two creative minds coming together, is touted to be a larger-than-life spectacle. After delivering hits as a director for over a decade now, Rohit has proved himself to be a successful producer, with films like Golmaal Again and Simmba, under his banner. In addition to Hindi films, Rohit Shetty Picturez has plans to enter the digital content space, too, with an original web series. They are also planning to cater to Rohit’s younger fans with animated series like Little Singham, on Discovery Kids.

The film is presented by Reliance Entertainment and produced by Rohit Shetty Picturez.