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Tag: Uddhav Thackeray

  • Maharashtra government set to introduce new hoarding policy for Mumbai metropolitan region

    Maharashtra government set to introduce new hoarding policy for Mumbai metropolitan region

    Mumbai: On 1 July, state minister Uday Samant announced in the legislative assembly that the Maharashtra government is soon to introduce a new policy regarding hoardings in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). This development comes just two months after the collapse of an illegal hoarding in Ghatkopar, Mumbai, which resulted in 17 fatalities and left over 75 people injured on May 13.

    Samant stated, “A policy will be unveiled once the code of conduct for the legislative council polls ends, following the declaration of results for the graduates and teachers constituencies.”

    A committee led by former Allahabad high court chief justice Dilip Bhosle is currently investigating the 13 May hoarding collapse in the Ghatkopar area. Additionally, it was revealed that out of the 1,025 hoardings in Mumbai, 306 are situated on railway land.

    During the assembly session, BJP legislator Ram Kadam alleged that Bhavesh Bhinde, whose firm was responsible for erecting the collapsed hoarding, had been photographed with Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray. Kadam insisted that Bhinde’s involvement should also be investigated.

  • Cinema halls, drama theatres to reopen in Maharashtra from 22 Oct

    Cinema halls, drama theatres to reopen in Maharashtra from 22 Oct

    Mumbai: Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray has announced that cinema halls and drama theatres in the state will be allowed to operate starting from 22 October. Theatres will have to adhere to the norms set by the government to prevent the spread of novel coronavirus.

    The state government is going to issue a standard operating procedure for theatre owners soon.

    Thackeray convened a meeting of Covid-19 task force attended by Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Raut, state chief secretary Sitaram Kunte and filmmakers Rohit Shetty and Kunal Kapoor. Theatre personality Makarand Deshpande and Marathi actors Subodh Bhave, Aadesh Bandekar among others were also present.

    Theatre owners and associations such as the Multiplex Association of India (MAI) have been actively campaigning, urging the Maharashtra government to relax restrictions on theatres. According to the association, Maharashtra cinema exhibition industry was staring at a monthly loss of Rs 400 crore and were suffering mounting losses with the prolonged shutdown of theatres. Theatres have been shut since mid-March 2020. Restrictions were relaxed briefly in the months of October and November only to be tightened once again with the onset of the second wave.

    Meanwhile, Karnataka has also announced its decision to operate cinema halls and auditoriums at full capacity from 1 October, months after being run at half capacity due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The government guidelines mandate a minimum of one dose of vaccine along with other social distancing norms.

    Maharashtra recorded 3,286 new Covid-19 cases on Friday, out of which 446 were from Mumbai. As many as 51 people lost their lives to the disease in the last 24 hours. The total number of total active cases in the state stand at 38, 491, at the time of filing this report.

  • Maharashtra unlock begins; TV, film shoots resume with limited working hours

    New Delhi: After nearly two months of lockdown, Maharashtra is all set to begin easing its strict rules in stages, starting Monday. The film and television industry will also resume shooting, but work in limited hours, as regular shooting will be permitted only after Mumbai gets a grip on the second wave of Covid-19, said chief minister Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday.

    As per the state government’s unlock plan, the film, TV shoots are allowed in Mumbai and Thane only for eight hours (till 5 pm) and that too, in a bio-bubble. According to producers, the timings aren’t feasible for the industry, as they require atleast 12 hours and requested the government for relaxation in shoot timings.

    “Permissions for regular film and TV shootings in Mumbai would be given if the city’s daily Covid-19 cases are brought under control,” Thackeray told the representatives of the film and TV industry during a virtual interaction on Sunday.

    One of the worst-affected states, Maharashtra has begun to show a slowdown in the number of new infections over the last week. On Sunday, the total number of daily infections came down to 12,557 which is the lowest in the last three months. The last time the state recorded Covid-19 cases less than 12,000 was on 9 March.

    “After the second wave of Covid-19, film and TV shootings were stopped in the state, but now the number of cases have started getting under control and the unlock process has also begun,” said Thackeray giving a glimmer of hope to the entertainment industry which has been struggling to get back on its feet for almost a year.

    The chief minister also sounded a note of caution and appealed to the industry to cooperate with the government in the unlock process and follow all the safety rules and take adequate precautions while shooting. ‘We should ensure that we do not get knocked down by the virus,’ he said.

    Ever since the restrictions were announced on 14 April, television producers and broadcasters in the state have been struggling to run daily shows and bring fresh content. The Indian Film and Television Producers Council (IFTPC) has also been beseeching the Shiv Sena-led government to allow shoots to continue under strict safety protocols.

    With no relief in the restrictions, producers shifted their production set up to other states to continue shooting for shows which are on air. Neighbouring Goa, Silvassa, and Daman became the hotspots for most of these TV shoots, along with Hyderabad, Surat, Rajasthan, and Delhi.

    Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE), president B N Tiwari said the work will resume immediately in Mumbai and Thane, and producers who have been shooting outside the city will also return after wrapping up the schedule.

    Meanwhile, the IFTPC has also begun the process of vaccinating over 10,000 workers from the media and entertainment industry, starting 4 June.

    On Sunday, Maharashtra lost 233 lives to the deadly virus and crossed the grim milestone of as many as one lakh deaths due to Covid-19. The case fatality rate now stands at 1.72 per cent for the state, while it is 5.56 per cent in Mumbai.

    Terming the unlock decision as a ‘calculated risk’, the state CM urged people to take care of themselves. “Nothing is going to be eased immediately. Some criteria and levels have been fixed and the local administration will take decisions on whether to ease restrictions and further tighten them,” he said.

    According to the government, the overall process of easing the restrictions will extend across five phases based on the positivity rate and occupancy of beds with medical oxygen. Restaurants, shops selling non-essential items, and public places will reopen from Monday in Mumbai, but malls, theatres, and multiplexes will continue to remain shut. Private offices can function at 50 per cent capacity till 4 pm on working days. Local trains in Mumbai will carry only essential workers, while buses in the city will be allowed to ply full capacity.

    The virtual meeting on Sunday was attended by several prominent actors, anchors, and industry representatives including J D Majethia, Nitin Vaidya, Punit Goenka, Aadesh Bandekar, Prashant Damle, Bharat Jadhav, Subodh Bhave, Amol Kolhe, Amit Behl, Ajay Bhalvankar, Sangamon Shirke, Vijay Kenkre, Sharad Ponkshe, and Siddharth Roy Kapur.

  • Yash Raj Films offers to sponsor vaccines for 30,000 FWICE workers

    Yash Raj Films offers to sponsor vaccines for 30,000 FWICE workers

    NEW DELHI: As the Covid2019 crisis worsens, Yash Raj Films (YRF) has offered to sponsor vaccines for all members of the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) through its charitable arm, the Yash Raj Foundation. According to a letter the YRF wrote to the president of FWICE, the foundation has already petitioned Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray to help it procure vaccines to inoculate the 30,000-odd members of the cine workers’ body.

    The foundation, named after legendary director Yash Chopra, has assured that the cost of the vaccines and all related expenses will be borne by it.

    “We have sent a request to the honourable chief minister of Maharashtra to allocate and allow us to purchase Covid2019 vaccines for 30,000 registered workers, who are members of the film industry’s federation in Mumbai at the earliest. The Yash Chopra Foundation will bear all other costs too associated with vaccinating the workers such as raising awareness, transportation of workers and setting up of all the required infrastructure for the immunisation programme,” wrote YRF in its letter to FWICE.

    The request comes amid a record rise in Covid cases in Mumbai. Given the surging caseloads across Maharashtra, the Shiv Sena-led ruling dispensation had imposed a statewide halt on film production activities.

    YRF further said that during these dire times, there is an urgent need to restart filming in the state so that thousands of workers have a steady stream of income to support their families.

    Following this letter from YRF, FWICE has also penned a missive to CM Thackeray, urging the government to provide 60,000 doses of the Covid2019 vaccines for 30,000 members of the film industry’s federation, according to a report by India Today. In the letter, which has been signed by all the designation holders of FWICE, it is mentioned that once vaccination is complete, members can resume their work without any fear.

  • Maharashtra shuts all TV, film shoots till 1 May

    Maharashtra shuts all TV, film shoots till 1 May

    New Delhi: With no slowdown in sight in the surge of Covid2019 cases, the Maharashtra government has decided to shut down all ongoing television and film shooting from 8 pm on Wednesday. The restrictions will remain in effect till 7 am on 1 May.

    The state is grappling with an alarming rise in the number of Covid2019 infections and has the maximum caseloads, more than any other state, amidst the second wave tearing through the country. Chief minister Udhav Thackeray said the current situation was “scary”, with hospitals across the state battling with acute shortage of beds, oxygen cylinders and lifesaving drugs.

    Thackeray stopped short of using the term ‘lockdown’, but said only essential activities and services will be permitted to operate for the next two weeks. The government has announced closure of all schools, colleges, restaurants, hotels, cinema halls, theatres, multiplexes, gyms, sports complex, amusement parks and all religious places. E-commerce will be allowed for the delivery of goods. Section 144 will be imposed across the state from 8 pm Wednesday till 7 am on 1 May.

    Television producers and broadcasters who were already reeling under the economic fallout of the pandemic will now have to face the challenge of running daily shows amid these strict restrictions. Several TV and film shoots have already been bearing the brunt of the pandemic during the last two weeks, with an increasing number of artists and staff members testing positive for Covid2019.

    Shooting of TV shows like Wagle Ki Duniya, Anupamaa and films like Gangubai Kathiawadi, Mr Lele, Ram Setu were halted after several Covid-positive cases were reported on the sets. The Indian Film and Television Producers Council (IFTPC) had also been urging the producers to ensure their staff is being regularly tested for Covid2019. The government had already announced the closure of cinema halls and multiplexes last week.

    The cases and fatalities have peaked sharply in Maharashtra over the last few weeks with as many as 60,000 cases being reported daily. The state has already lost as many as 58,000 lives to the pandemic. The capital city of Mumbai has reported as many as 7,898 new positive cases on Tuesday and reported 26 deaths, taking the total number of positive cases to 5,35,017.

  • Film, TV directors’ association requests Maharashtra govt for changes in shooting guidelines

    Film, TV directors’ association requests Maharashtra govt for changes in shooting guidelines

    MUMBAI: The Indian Film & Television Directors’ Association (IFTDA) has sent a letter to the Maharashtra government seeking the removal of certain clauses in the guidelines for resuming shooting of films, OTT shows, and television serials as they are difficult to be adhered to. Chief minister Uddhav Thackeray recently permitted the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) to resume shooting only if these guidelines and SOPs are followed strictly.

    IFTDA president Ashoke Pandit wrote, “We are glad to note that each and every point that we had presented and discussed in the above meeting has been considered and implemented in the GR released by the government. All the clauses that are mentioned in the GR are in line with the requirements raised by the stakeholders of the Industry. However, we would like to request you to please revisit two clauses mentioned in the GR.”

    One major concern is that any person above 65 years of age will not be allowed to work on the set. This category includes prominent actors like Amitabh Bachchan, Anupam Kher, Paresh Rawal, Annu Kapoor, Naseeruddin Shah, Dharmendra, Shakti Kapoor, Mithun Chakraborty, Pankaj Kapur, Jackie Shroff, Danny Denzongpa, Dalip Tahil, Tinnu Anand, Rakesh Bedi, Kabir Bedi and others. It also has legendary directors, filmmakers and writers like Anil Sharma, David Dhawan, Subhash Ghai, Shyam Benegal, Mani Ratnam and Prakash Jha.

    According to Pandit, this clause is impractical since it would restrict some of the great luminaries of the industry.

    Another major concern highlighted by Pandit is the availability of doctors and nurses stationed at each shooting premises.

    The letter notes that Maharashtra is already facing issues due to non-availability of the doctors and nurses to cope with the increased number of patients from the Covid2019 pandemic and therefore it is not practical to have a doctor and nurse to be stationed at each shooting premise.

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  • IMPPA sets shooting guidelines in Maharashtra

    IMPPA sets shooting guidelines in Maharashtra

    MUMBAI: The Indian Motion Picture Producers’ Association (IMPPA) has written a letter to Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray about resuming shoots of films, TV serials and web originals with proper SOP in place.

    This document suggests steps to be adopted to avoid contagion during shoots. It notes down detailed precautionary measures that will be followed by the cast and crew after the permission is granted.

    The report talks about carrying out a daily drill session with the  staff members so that it should be implemented in a proper manner. Crew, artists, technicians and participants will have to report 45 minutes before the shoot. Complete studio will be sanitised daily before the shoot.

    Floor markings need  to be in place so that people maintain social distance. Going forward priority will be given to portable chairs over standard benches.

    The report suggests no physical greetings, handshakes, hugs and kisses and amongst other measures.Wearing triple layer masks and gloves is mandatory. Infact, an alternative to face masks is also provided. “A protective half mask with inhalation and exhalation filter will ensure lower costs, as the number of filming days will gradually increase. It would be specifically worn  by actors and crew members having a negative Covid2019 test.”

    Lightman or anyone handling other equipment has to be provided industrial hand gloves with proper training about their usage. Construction department and other designated individuals must wear protective gloves. Crew members leaving the filming location (e.g. production, drivers or runners, etc.) must be equipped with protective gloves to prevent contamination of the filming area.

    A main element  of the report is the hair and make-up protocol. Artists will remain in their rooms until required on set. Hair and make-up personnel will be wearing masks and gloves, which will be mandatory to wear during the entire shoot.

    The guideline recommends single-use or disposable items; cleaning of hair wigs/ extensions before and after use; use of own make-up; and, most importantly, using a face shield, rather than a mask, once make-up has been applied.

    The guild has also advised production units to avoid crew above the age of 60 years at least for three months from the date of shooting as and when it starts and cast above the age of 60 years should be judicially used.

    As far as costumes used on the sets are concerned, the guild suggested that “every talent will use clothes allocated to him/her and they can never exchange clothes without having them properly disinfected beforehand.” In case of stuntmen, specialists and precision drivers they are to use their own clothes.

    More importantly, every daily wage worker has to be paid their wages daily.

  • Identify safe places to shoot, Maharashtra CM tells industry delegation

    Identify safe places to shoot, Maharashtra CM tells industry delegation

    MUMBAI: A 12-member delegation of television producers and broadcasters on Friday interacted with Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray who asked them to find safe and secluded places for resuming shooting.

    In the zoom call, Thackeray responded positively to the delegation’s concerns and demands and assured them that shooting can restart soon. He asked them to identify green zones/safe areas for resuming shooting.

    The delegation apprised the chief minister the huge losses the industry has been incurring since the lockdown was imposed in March. The leaders shared with him the concerns of job losses and the industry’s wish to restart shooting with utmost care and by adhering to SOPs.

    He quickly addressed all issues and asked his team to set up a committee and work out the possibilities to start shooting at the earliest. The industry has to find out studios away from civilization, list of necessary precautions to be taken and spacious post production studios where social distancing can be maintained.

    Once this is done, the permission for the maintenance of sets, monsoon sheds, fire safety measures, etc. can be obtained. The shooting has to be conducted with minimum crew. Government officials will also be visiting Goregaon film city to examine its safety.

    Those who attended the meeting included: Zee Entertainment Enterprises managing director and chief executive officer Puneet Goenka, Sony Pictures Networks managing director and chief executive N P Singh, Network18 MD Rahul Joshi, Star & Disney India head K Madhavan,  Zee Entertainment Enterprises CEO Punit Misra, Endemol Shine India CEO Abhishek Rege, TV producer Ekta Kapoor, Banijay Asia founder-CEO Deepak Dhar, actor-producer Adesh Bandekar, Dr Sanjay Mukharji, Vikas Gharelu, Sudhir Naik, IFTPC managing member Nitin Vaidya, and jd Majethia.  

    jd Majethia informed that the chief minister posed for a picture of the video conference meeting. “I was very happy to discover a hidden streak of our beloved CM’s sense of humour which kept everyone in the meeting comfortable. The chief minister concluded the meeting by asking us all to be positive and hopeful with a line of a song from film chhoti si baat “Aanewala pal jane wala hai,” said Majethia.

    After several weeks of uncertainty, the television and broadcasting industry can finally heave a sigh of relief. Though an exact date has not been fixed yet, it is certain that production activities can resume soon. 

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  • Maharashtra CM assures support to TV, film fraternity to resume shooting

    Maharashtra CM assures support to TV, film fraternity to resume shooting

    MUMBAI: Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday interacted with artistes and producers from the entertainment industry, especially Marathi film, theatre and television series, via video conferencing.

    He assured the members that the state will consider any action plan proposed by them for reviving shooting and post-production activities provided they exercise physical distancing norms and other precautions.

    The chief minister tweeted about the virtual meeting that the state government will stand firmly with the technicians, backstage artistes, workers, folk artistes and performers in this crisis. He also said that rent concessions for those who have erected sets at the Film City will be considered.

    The film and television producers and actors promised full support to all the decisions that will be taken by the state government.

    The chief minister has sought a draft proposal from the creative fraternity on what are all precautions they would take while filming. He assured them that he would think over their proposal.

    He informed that only after taking necessary precautions in green and red zones, production of films will be possible. Production shouldn't be in the containment zone. People involved in the production process, their stay and food requirements, and other things are also matters of concern.

    He said that the entertainment industry not only entertains, but also teaches us, and hence assumes significance. Since movie theatres are places where people do come in large numbers, it's difficult to give immediate relaxation.

    The other day the Federation of Western India Cine Employees appealed to the chief minister to grant permission to resume the post-production work of the media and entertainment industry. The federation sought the chief minister’s permission to continue with the post production activities, such as editing, sound recording, etc. of such projects nearing completion, so that it will give relief to the industry. It assured the chief minister that necessary guidelines pertaining to the health, safety and security of the workers involved in such post-production activities will be adhered to.

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  • Cine employees fed appeals to Maharashtra CM to resume post-production works

    Cine employees fed appeals to Maharashtra CM to resume post-production works

    MUMBAI:Federation of Western India Cine Employees has appealed to Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray to grant permission to resume the post-production work of the media and entertainment industry. 

    In the letter the federation said that the media and entertainment industry is the largest revenue earner, but the Covid2019 lockdown has ceased all the production activities. As a result the industry is suffering huge losses.

    Producers have poured in huge funds into various projects. The association appealed that it will be a great relief to them if they are able to release their projects immediately after the lockdown is lifted.

    The federation sought the chief minister’s permission to continue with the post production activities, such as editing, sound recording, etc. of such projects nearing completion, so that it will give relief to the industry.

    It assured the chief minister that necessary guidelines pertaining to the health, safety and security of the workers involved in such post-production activities will be adhered to.

    The federation expressed the hope that the chief minister will be considerate and thoughtful regarding its plea and provide the necessary permissions to resume the post-production activities for the stuck projects in the media and entertainment industry.