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  • “Follow your gut’, says Siddharth Roy Kapur as he shares his success mantra at IIFTC

    “Follow your gut’, says Siddharth Roy Kapur as he shares his success mantra at IIFTC

    Mumbai: In a fireside chat at the India International Film Tourism Conclave 2022, producer Siddharth Roy Kapur gave out his success mantra to a discerning audience consisting of 20 countries who had come to pitch their locations to Indian filmmakers—’Follow your gut.’

    In a discussion with the South Swedish Film Commission head & European Film Commission Network co-president Mikael Svensson, Roy Kapur Films founder, MD Siddharth Roy Kapur said that he had always been in love with the story before he decided to produce it. Commenting on the occasion, he said, “When we decided to produce Rang De Basanti in 2005, many people warned us that the film may not work well, as in the ending, the cast dies, but we followed our gut. The success of the film paved the way for many more such projects and newcomers in the industry. Ronnie Screwvala backed talent whose stories we loved, irrespective of what the market or trade pundits might think.”

    Answering a question by Mikael Svensson on his personal favourite film as a producer, Kapur answered, “The Last Film Show,” without batting an eyelid. Continuing the conversation, he said, “The Last Film Show is one of my favourite films as it makes the viewers fall in love with cinemas. An Indian Oscar is long overdue and all of us are keeping our fingers crossed. We Indians have a special grammar in our films, unlike others, namely the song and dance sequences. Many people might not like them, but I strongly feel that they should survive. Our country has space for both international cinema, regional cinema, and Hindi language cinema—due to the large audience size and the large Indian diaspora spread globally, whenever we start a film, it is primarily the Indian audience that we keep in mind.”

    Commenting on the South Indian Film Industry, Kapur said, “The South Indian cinema is having its renaissance moment. The audiences have started accepting and appreciating such films.” On what goes behind choosing a shooting location for the film, the 48-year-old filmmaker said, “We as filmmakers, want to be true to the script and hence prefer to shoot at the actual locations as in the script. However, budget sometimes plays a role, and if we get something that may not look like a force fit but still be in our budget, then we select that location.”

    Svensson also told the audience a lesser-known fact about the ex-president of the Producers Guild of India. He used to love acting in school and college and was the head of his college dramatics society. Kapur laughingly said, “Producers are acting all the time. I enjoyed acting in school and college, but being an actor professionally is different. I realised the differences early on and became a producer, as I believed it suited me more as a person.”

    The evening was the second day of the three-day film tourism event, featuring over 50 international companies from over 20 countries coming to Bollywood, Mumbai to woo Indian filmmakers. The event saw participation from countries including Azerbaijan, Abu Dhabi, Krakow, Kazakhstan, Montenegro, Norway, Oman, Panama, Poland, Sri Lanka, Sweden, and Yas Island, to name a few.

  • Producers Guild of India elects Shibasish Sarkar as president

    Producers Guild of India elects Shibasish Sarkar as president

    Mumbai: Shibasish Sarkar was unanimously elected as president of the Producers Guild of India at the first meeting of its newly constituted Guild Council of Management, which was held immediately after the 68th annual general meeting on 21 September.

    Shibasish is currently the chairman and CEO of International Media Acquisition. His most recent position was as group CEO of Reliance Entertainment, which is part of the Reliance ADA group.

    President-elect Shibasish Sarkar said, “In his six years as guild president, Siddharth has been a tireless, passionate, and committed champion for our industry at a time of unprecedented challenges. I look forward to building on what he has accomplished and working alongside my colleagues to help address the challenges and build on the opportunities we have before us as an industry.”

    Shibasish Sarkar is a media and entertainment industry professional with over 29 years of corporate experience in multiple verticals such as films, television, animation, gaming content, and digital & new media platform operations.

    Welcoming the president-elect, the incumbent president Siddharth Roy Kapur said, “It has been a pleasure and an honour to serve the production fraternity and I am delighted to pass the baton on to the able hands of Shibasish. I am sure he will do a stellar job and add further lustre to the Guild’s reputation for spearheading the industry’s interests.”

    Shibasish was a member of the senior leadership team and served as a director and member of the board of several group companies.

    He has held senior positions at Viacom 18, UTV Disney, and Godrej Sara Lee prior to joining Reliance, with a focus on establishing a new business, scaling up operations, and driving sustainable growth through key alliances, managing stakeholders, talent partners, and cross-functional teams.

    His academic credentials include being a certified chartered accountant, a cost accountant, a company secretary, and an MBA with a marketing specialisation.

  • India’s OCC providers expected to generate $2.6 billion in revenue by 2025

    India’s OCC providers expected to generate $2.6 billion in revenue by 2025

    Mumbai: The revenue generated by India’s online broadcast and video sector increased by 159 per cent between 2012 and 2019.to reach $483 million. This is expected to touch $2.6 billion by 2025, according to a new report.

    A white paper by Frontier Economics in partnership with Creative First, FICCI, Producers Guild of India and Motion Pictures Association Asia Pacific found that online curated content (OCC) providers’ investment in content and production was not only a significant engine of growth within the media and entertainment industry but also the wider economy. According to it, 60 per cent of production costs are spent outside the specific M&E sector in the general economy to support media companies’ investments, for example on catering, hospitality, construction and legal services.

    The proportion of the Indian population using the internet has almost tripled since the entry of OCC providers in 2012, mainly due to the government’s initiative, but in part due to demand for OCC services drawing people to increase their internet usage; 34 per cent of Indians now use the internet (compared to 12.5 per cent in 2012)

    The research found that the geographic distribution of OCC investment in original titles is broadly proportional to each country’s number of global OCC subscribers, and as subscriber numbers continue to grow in India, so will investment in local and regional content.

    Globally, OCC providers are expected to pump $61 billion into original and licensed content by 2024. They collectively invested $24.7 billion in content in 2020. In 2019, The Walt Disney Company, NBCU, WarnerMedia, and ViacomCBS collectively poured $45 billion into content spending and creation globally (excluding sports).

    The study also showed that 56 per cent of hours watched on Indian OCC services was local content. It also found via a survey that 70 per cent of Indians consider it important that their OTT platforms provide local content.

    Investments in content have a disproportionately large contribution to the GDP as it provides skilled, well-paid employment stimulates economic growth, and supports a country’s exports. Since producing top-quality content is costly and content creation is a risky investment, policies like tax rebates or subsidies mitigate the risk and have been found to significantly increase investments in content, according to Frontier Economics.

    According to it, India’s existing policy framework has encouraged investments in the M&E sector and created a virtuous cycle of content creation and skill development. However, it pointed out that policies that discourage or constrain foreign investment and market entry can disrupt this virtuous cycle. “Protectionist policies intended to shield local companies from international competition could result in local industries that are inward-looking, less innovative and less able to produce high-quality content that is in demand internationally,” it said.

    “A light touch regulation has been our intention, the government being an enabler, rather than bring any brakes to the system of decision making, investment and employment opportunities,” said the ministry of information and broadcasting joint secretary Vikram Sahay on Friday.

    He added “Policy is always an evolving process with time, experience, and learnings. The government has always worked with the industry and other stakeholders, and we look forward to your suggestions and views. The industry has taken the Digital Media Ethics Code positively and has incorporated the spirit of the ethics code diligently in its decision-making process. The grievances received by the Government have drastically come down and it shows that the regulatory mechanism with the self-certification process is working well.”

  • Siddharth Roy Kapur re-elected as president of Producers Guild of India

    Siddharth Roy Kapur re-elected as president of Producers Guild of India

    Mumbai: Roy Kapur Films founder and MD Siddharth Roy Kapur has been re-elected as president of Producers Guild of India at the 67th annual general meeting (AGM) of the association held virtually on 29 September. Reliance Entertainment’s Shibasish Sarkar was named as vice president of the industry body.

    Another key development was the expansion in ranks of women producers in leadership roles. Emmay Entertainment and Motion Pictures LLP’s Madhu Bhojwani and Netflix India’s Ambika Khurana joined incumbents Apoorva Mehta, Manish Goswami and Sunjoy Waddhwa as vice presidents of the guild while Sol Productions’ Fazila Allana joined incumbent Ashim Samanta as treasurer.

    Kapur, who has been serving for six consecutive years as the president of the guild, announced that he would not be making himself available for re-election next year. With Kapur at the helm, the guild has spearheaded multiple industry initiatives to increase the market size and reach of Indian content and include advocacy of producers interests on matters like legislation, taxation and ease of doing business.

    The ongoing pandemic has thrown unprecedented challenges at the production industry. At the AGM, members were apprised of the key activities and developments during the year, including formulating rigorous SOPs for safe shooting, advocating for shooting resumption, organising vaccination camps for members and facilitating financial assistance to daily wage workers through donations by guild members.

  • Get a jab, industry urges staff, workers as it resumes operations

    New Delhi: With the second wave of the pandemic beginning to show signs of a slowdown, organisations across the country are gearing up to welcome their employees back to the office. But with the threat of a third wave looming large, they are taking no chances and making arrangements for their employees to get vaccinated on time. The media and entertainment industry was also hit hard by the pandemic. With TV, film shoots suspended, the losses only mounted. Now as states begin to unlock and restrictions ease, the industry is also taking steps to resume business.

    “Vaccination is the only wave to combat this dreaded disease. I’m sure it will eliminate the disease to a large extent and pave the way for a fearless and anxiety-free shooting in Maharashtra,” said Indian Film and TV Producers Council (IFTPC) president Sajid Nadiadwala.

    IFTPC has already begun vaccinating about 10,000 media and entertainment workers. The trade association has tied up with Kokilaben Ambani Hospital for the vaccination drive at the IFTPC office in Andheri West. It has decided to add two to three more vaccination centers once the return journey of crews shooting outside Maharashtra begins.

    “Vaccination will be given free of cost to all the workers, but a nominal fee will be charged from high-end professionals and technicians,” said IFTPC chairman (TV and web), J D Majethia, adding that the first vaccination drive is being funded by Motion Pictures and TV Producers’ Welfare Trust, the philanthropic wing of IFTPC.

    On 8 June, the Federation of Cine Technicians and Workers of Eastern India (FCTWEI) also conducted a mass vaccination drive and inoculated as many as 108 people, including artists, technicians, executive producers, and writers. 

    The Producers Guild of India (PGI), the association of Indian film, television, and digital content producers also conducted a mass vaccination campaign for its guild members and associated production crews on a multi-day drive on 1 June. “Mass vaccination drives will help to facilitate safer shooting as the production has been resumed in limited hours,” it stated.

    Broadcasters are not far behind either. Zee Entertainment has begun the vaccination drive for artists, technicians, crew members, other associates, and partners. Zee Kannada and Zee Bangla have already conducted the first drive, Zee Telugu will follow suit. Soumi Chakraborty, who plays Kamala in ‘Rani Rashmoni’ received the first dose of the Covid vaccine at the Zee Bangla office on 7 June.

    “As a responsible broadcaster and one of the important broadcasters in the TV ecosystem, we have taken the initiative to provide free vaccination for all our artists, technicians, the crew of production houses, and other associates and partners. This initiative has been driven by a core sense of health and safety first for all the partners and members who are associated with our various projects,” said Zee Entertainment cluster head (East) Samrat Ghosh.

    Yash Raj Films has also opened its studios for the first phase of the vaccination drive, in which it plans to inoculate as many as 4,000 workers. YRF had pledged to sponsor Covid-19 vaccines for 30,000 members of the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE).

    As the second wave recedes further, it may also become necessary for workers and staff to show proof of vaccination, when they resume work. The organizations are thus making efforts to dispel any concerns that their staff may have regarding vaccination and urging them to take the jabs.

  • Producers Guild of India organizes mass vaccination campaign

    Producers Guild of India organizes mass vaccination campaign

    Mumbai: The Producers Guild of India (PGI), the association of Indian film, television, and digital content producers on Monday announced it will conduct a mass vaccination campaign to give coronavirus vaccines to guild members and associated production crews. 

    The Guild, in a press release, noted that members will be vaccinated across several days in a drive to commence on 1 June at Mehboob Studios, in suburban Bandra. The organizers said that mass vaccination is the single solution to curb the spread of the pandemic, and would also facilitate safer shooting, once production work resumes. 

    “An activity of such importance and magnitude cannot be carried out singlehandedly, and we are extremely grateful for the support we have received to make this possible. We are happy that we are able to provide this facility to our members, their employees, and the cast and crew of their (respective) productions as we work to get the industry back on its feet again in the weeks ahead,” said Producers Guild of India president Sidharth Roy Kapur. 

    Kapur also thanked production company Excel Entertainment for playing ”a pivotal role in securing the vaccine, as also Mehboob Productions, who very generously offered complimentary use of the spacious Mehboob Studios.”

    Due to the second wave of the Covid pandemic, the Maharashtra government has suspended all shooting activities, both indoor and outdoor. Currently, the shooting of a few films and television shows is being carried out outside the state. 

    Maharashtra, on Sunday, reported 18,600 fresh Covid cases, with the death toll due to Covid-related complications costing 402 human lives, pushing the total number of fatalities to 94,844. 

     

     

  • Producers Guild issues statement, slams attackers who are maligning film industry’s reputation

    Producers Guild issues statement, slams attackers who are maligning film industry’s reputation

    The Producers Guild of India (PGI) today issued a statement related to the countless attacks against the film industry. The guild has accepted that the Indian film industry has its own imperfections, but it also highlights that the industry is also one of the most important sources of soft power for the nation at a global level.

    Following the death of Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput, celebrities like Kangana Ranaut have re-ignited the nepotism debate and highlighted the drug abuse in Bollywood. While she has been targeting influential filmmakers for favouring celebrity kids, Ranaut recently claimed that 99 per cent of Bollywood was on drugs.

    “The last few months have seen relentless attacks on the reputation of the Indian film industry across all media. The tragic death of a promising young star has been used by some as a tool to defame and slander the film industry and its members,” the statement read.

     “A picture has been painted of the industry as a terrible place for outsiders to aspire to; a place that treats those who dare to enter it with contempt and derision; a murky den of substance abuse and criminality. This narrative is salacious enough for the media to exploit to great effect in order to boost its ratings, readership and page views. But it is not the truth” the guild added.

     “Like any other sector, there is no doubt that the film industry has its imperfections, and there must always be an ongoing attempt by any industry to improve upon itself, learn and evolve while weeding out unsavoury elements or improper practices that hold it back. But to paint an entire industry with the same brush is a gross misrepresentation of reality,” the guild further said.

    On the positive aspects of the industry, the guild shared, “The film industry employs hundreds of thousands of people, boosts travel and tourism and is one of the most important sources of soft power for India across the world. It has entertained hundreds of millions of people for over a century and has brought joy, honour, and glory to the nation. It has welcomed and embraced talent from across the country – from the worlds of literature, poetry, art and music – and has drawn them in to create a unique cinematic language.”

    The statement read, “This has ensured that we are one of the few countries in the world to still have a vibrant and thriving local film industry across multiple languages, despite the decades-long onslaught of Hollywood.” It also mentioned that the industry has always contributed generously to national causes in times of need, and has offered its resources – name, recognition, time and funds – whenever needed.

    The guild also agreed that it’s not easy to enter the industry.

    “We do not negate the personal experiences of anyone from the industry, and undoubtedly many of those entering the business and seeking to establish themselves have faced numerous hardships, struggles and disappointments in the course of building a career here. But that is no different from the challenges and obstacles faced by new entrants in any field that they are not born into – be it politics, law, business, medicine or the media,” the guild further added.

    It said, “However, a concerted effort has been made to single out the film industry as one that specifically inhibits and prohibits new talent from the outside from thriving. This could not be further from the truth.”

    The letter also mentioned that there are scores of talented actors, directors, writers, musicians, cinematographers, editors, sound designers, production designers, costume designers, art directors, and numerous other film professionals across multiple disciplines who had absolutely no connection in the industry, but they have flourished and done pathbreaking work, which has redefined Indian cinema.

    The statement further read: “Being born into the industry most definitely affords you the privilege of access and a first break, but after that it is up to each individual’s talent, hard work and drive to propel them forward. This is a place that ultimately rewards your talent, work ethic and ability to connect with an audience – regardless of your religion, gender, caste or economic strata.”

    It agreed that the industry is undoubtedly more difficult for an outsider to get that first chance to display their talent. However, with perseverance, persistence and a little bit of luck – it could be achieved.

     “These are difficult times for our country and the world, so rather than venting our fears and frustrations on each other with vile and vicious trolling, it is more important than ever to come together instead of tearing each other apart. Members of the industry on both sides of this debate, especially women, have been subjected to rape threats and death threats. This is unacceptable and must stop now,” the statement said.

  • Producers’ guild issues safety guidelines for shooting

    Producers’ guild issues safety guidelines for shooting

    MUMBAI: Producers’ Guild of India has issued a list of protective measures to be adopted during filming. According to the producer's handbook, prior training and daily briefing about sanitization will be given to members present at the set. The association has urged crew members and people present at the set to follow the social distancing rules and have minimal human contact. There will be properly demarcated floor markings in all relevant areas and zones.

    Information boards will be placed at all shooting locations. They will set up secure lock-up to prevent any unauthorised personnel from entering the premises.

    The guild is also ensuring that they are doing everything in its capacity to maintain strict hygiene levels. As per the hygiene mandate, the entire studio will be sanitized daily before the shoot. In order to keep shooting location disinfected and clean, a government-authorised agency will carry out the sanitization process. This will include studio, cafeteria, washroom and vanity vans. Only the use of disposable items – plates, cutlery, food boxes, etc. will be allowed on the set. A designated disposable area for food waste will be provided.

    Hand sanitisers and portable wash basins will be installed at multiple locations. Each crew member will be provided with a triple-layer medical mask. Isolation rooms will be designated in case of emergency. Ambulance and a doctor must be present at the set. Designated seating areas will be arranged with chairs spaced at a distance of minimum six feet. Meal timing will have to be staggered to avoid crowding.

    While maintaining social distancing and safety measures, the association has advised to check the body temperature of each person with infrared scanners. According to the guideline, anyone with body temperature of 99°F / 38°C or higher must not be allowed to enter.

    Besides other safety measures, a detailed form should be filled by all crew members mentioning information such as:

     • Mode of travel

    • Medical history

    • Age

    • Contact tracing details Daily

     • Temperature

    • Pulse rate (pulse oximeter)

    As per association’s guidelines every personnel will be on set under the premise of ‘informed consent’ and self-assess symptoms of Covid2019 and or exposure to Covid2019. Before the commencement of shoot, it is mandatory for them to inform the production team about their health status and exposure to Covid2019 at the time of booking / signing up for a project and again on arrival at the shoot location.

    Filming protocols for the technical crew will include disinfecting hair and makeup items before and after each use. Use of single-use/disposable items are recommended. All garments and racks should be disinfected before and after each use.

    The association explains that equipment and props must be disinfected before and after each shot. Remote viewing should be made available. Lapel mics should be duly disinfected after each shot. Before beginning the shoot, it is important to check with the local ward admin which zone the location comes under to avoid any risk. Authorized personnel will have the responsibility to sanitize location pre-shoot.

    Protocols that will be followed if a crew member is infected include:

    ·   Request the employee to immediately isolate in the designated isolation room on set

    ·     Have the set doctor monitor for symptoms and inform the necessary authorities

    ·   Collect details of all close contacts and have them self-quarantined

    ·    Clean and disinfect the place

    ·   Notify all employees

    ·    Check up employees.

    It is also important for members present on the set to download the Aarogya Setu app.

    On Friday, a 12-member delegation of television producers and broadcasters interacted with Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray who asked them to find safe and secluded places for resuming shoots.

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  • Production houses keep their faith as they weigh impact of COVID-19

    Production houses keep their faith as they weigh impact of COVID-19

    MUMBAI: The iconic ‘Lights, camera, action’ has temporarily been silenced across the country. The COVID-19 pandemic is wreaking havoc on the once-thriving media and entertainment industry, stymieing its smooth functioning, at least for the time being. The silver lining, however, is that despite the global impact of the pandemic, production houses are hopeful of a brighter future. Industry experts are hoping that the short-term pain will be a long-term gain. While some feel that the nation will soon be back on its feet, others are thankful for the much-needed break for creative people. 

    Indiantelevision.com reached out to a cross section of players in the industry for reaction.

    The Film and Television Producers Guild of India CEO Kulmeet Makkar believes it is too early to predict the overall impact. It completely depends on how long this lockdown continues. “Everything is shut. How soon will theatres open is a huge question mark. Even if the essential commodities are made available, will cinema halls open for the public, considering the social distancing norm? Given all this, everyone except news channels is facing a huge setback,” he says.

    Production houses that had rented sets for their upcoming shoots had to hurriedly halt things. Indian Film and TV Producers Council director Shyamashis Bhattacharya says, “We are talking to all the studio owners both at an individual level as well from IFTPC that the rent of such studios should be waived off for the period where there has been no work. Film City, where the industry has the maximum number of sets, is controlled by the Maharashtra government; we are trying to reach out to them as well on this matter. I am sure they will take an empathetic view of our concern. For sets where the producer may not get any waiver on the rent, I am sure the broadcaster of that show will pitch in and help the producer.”

    Hats Off Productions co-founder Aatish Kapadia says that it is more important to look after the lives of daily wage earners and people who are in trouble because of work shortage than to worry about the rent.

    Unemployment and job cuts will be a grim reality that will hit the industry soon. Bhattacharya says: “Sacking of people would be an individual choice of every producer and that will depend on how long the lockdown continues. I don’t think anyone will like to sack people if they are able to manage financially.”

    Even though no jobs have been taken away yet, Makkar questions whether production houses can sustain those losses for long if the lockdown continues. For now, the focus is on the daily wage earners, the most hard-hit by the COVID-19.

    Playing their part to help fellow humans, industry biggies have come forward with a heart of gold.

    Red Chillies’ Shah Rukh Khan is making available his office for quarantine facilities. Balaji Telefilms’ Ekta Kapoor will donate her annual salary of Rs 2.5 crore towards helping daily wage earners and freelancers. The Yash Chopra Foundation will look after 3000 daily wage earners from the industry. The foundation will also transfer Rs 5000 to their individual bank accounts. 

    Meanwhile, streaming giant Netflix has contributed $1 million to the relief fund set up by Producers Guild of India. Sony Pictures Networks India will donate Rs 100 million. Zee Entertainment has also committed to help 5000+ daily wage earners who are working directly or indirectly in its overall production ecosystem.

    However, the question looming large is the sustainability for producers and broadcasters when revenue doesn’t kick in for a few months. Experts suggest that if the crisis continues, every stakeholder will see more than 15 per cent of the total yearly revenue being wiped out.  Although the initial support has been phenomenal, the government needs to step in soon. Even if the lockdown is lifted on 14 April, it will take time for things to get back to normal.  Every single month of inactivity would mean losing 10 per cent of the business.

    In the meanwhile, some parts of the production chain are still being oiled. A few production houses are doing background work to promote their shows on digital platforms. “We are doing a lot of collaborative work on Zoom calls and other Microsoft applications. The work is in progress with several channels. I am writing scripts for a web series and a film. Khichdi and Sarabhai Vs Sarabhai are back on television and to promote the shows every team is resorting to video conferencing. We are doing a lot of shoots on social distancing through our individual social media handles,” says Kapadia.

    Bhattacharya says that the scripting for some shows is being conducted via email exchanges. These are shows that were commissioned before the lockdown but couldn’t get started with the shoots. “As far as absolutely new ideas are concerned, I think the broadcasters will listen to them only when the situation normalises to some extent,” he says.

    Nonetheless, heads from the entertainment and media industry are hopeful that things would be better once the lockdown is lifted and the government plays its part in helping the stakeholders in the industry. But the industry will feel the pinch for the months to come.

    Let’s earnestly hope that the industry will emerge unscathed from this unprecedented and hard situation. 

  • COVID-19: Producers Guild sets up relief fund for daily workers affected by shutdown

    COVID-19: Producers Guild sets up relief fund for daily workers affected by shutdown

    MUMBAI: The Producers Guild of India has set up a Relief Fund for daily wage earners impacted by the complete shutdown of film, television and OTT productions owing to the COVID-19 epidemic.

    "In light of the complete shutdown of all production-related activities for the foreseeable future due to the COVID-19 outbreak, there is bound to be a significant impact on the lives and livelihoods of daily wage earners in the industry. The Producers Guild has decided to set up a Relief Fund to help support those most affected by the shutdown. We would encourage the entire fraternity to contribute to the Fund, to ensure that we can do all we can to minimise the disruption in the lives of our valued colleagues and associates in this difficult time," said The Producers Guild of India President Siddharth Roy Kapur in a press release.

    The release said that anyone intending to contribute can mail the Guild at support@producersguildindia.com.

    Meanwhile, the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) has decided to organise the distribution of ration and basic materials of daily needs for the needy members of all its affiliates for a week from 22 Sunday March.

    The federation has appealed to all the producers, technicians and others film and television personalities to come forward and lend a hand in its fight against Coronavirus.