Maha Gov permits film and TV serials to resume shooting

The Maharashtra Government has permitted shooting for films, TV serials, and advertisements to resume with immediate effect. According to media reports, the decision follows several appeals from the film industry and a delegation of Bollywood bigwigs who personally reached out to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray last week.

The State Government has issued a separate set of guidelines, which the film industry will have to adhere to, initiated under #MissionBeginAgain. A 16 page document has been issued, addressed to all stakeholders about managing Coronavirus risk.

This document addresses measures to mitigate risk on 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, and travel.

According to the guidelines, travel is to be minimised with at least one month stay wherever possible and 14 days quarantine after return.

Those intending to resume shootings will be required to submit their applications to the Maharashtra Films, Theatre and Cultural Development Corporation at the Dadasaheb Phalke Film City, Goregaon, or at the district collectorates concerned across the state, said an official. After checking the applications, the concerned authority will give the green signal for the shooting proposals. They will have to stick to the Covid-19 guidelines issued separately for the purpose, according to media reports.