Film, TV and OTT content producers are heaving a sigh of relief as they can now go ahead with the shooting of their projects – both new and those that were stalled in the wake of the coronavirus shutdown. In a significant move, the Maharashtra government has allowed all shooting to resume in the state with immediate effect.
Mumbai being the epicentre of the entertainment industry, the allowance is a huge win for producers and filmmakers. Film and TV industry bigwigs had met Uddhav Thackeray, the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, last week and requested him to allow resumption of shooting, production and post-production work in Mumbai.
Considering that the lockdown rules have been eased for industries, it makes sense for the government to take the film industry as any other industry and allow them to go about the work of producing films, TV shows and OTT content.
However, shooting can only go ahead with certain norms in place – a 16-page set of guidelines has been issued for the same – which all filmmakers have to follow while shooting their projects. The guidelines include several rules to be followed – social distancing has to be maintained, minimum crew should be allowed on the sets, managing coronavirus risks on the sets/studios and editing facilities, casting and artist management, production offices, trailers, tents, crowd control and physical distancing, handling of equipments, operations controls, actors and junior artistes, contestants for non-fiction shows, staffing, location departments, shoot management, art department, wardrobe, on-set communication, camera, video village setup, sound, electric/grip departments, catering, etc.
Also, producers should try to restrict travel, and even if travel is required, they should try to have least one month stay wherever possible and quarantine for 14 days after return. Due permission must be taken from the district collectors of the places where the unit needs to travel for shooting.
For shoots at Film City and in Mumbai City, applications have to be submitted to the Maharashtra Films, Theatre and Cultural Development Corporation at the Dadasaheb Phalke Film City, Goregaon.
Despite all the diktats to be followed, the Maharashtra government’s allowing resumption of shootings is heartening news for all concerned.
In other news, West Bengal and the Southern states have also allowed resuming of film and TV productions. Viewers can now look forward to watching their awaited shows and movies soon.
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