India ended its lockdown in wake of the coronavirus pandemic on May 31 and the same day, Maharashtra state government issued guidelines for producers and filmmakers to resume the shooting of films, TV shows and web series. However, more than 15 days have passed and shootings haven't begun due to the challenging guidelines that must be followed and the kind of money involved in ensuring everyone’s safety.

Work began for a few films - Shoojit Sircar began his post-production work for Vicky Kaushal-starrer Udham Singh biopic and a few others filmmakers have also begun editing and dubbing work. However, the resumption of work is limited to production and shooting is yet to beginCINTAA demands:

While most producers suggest a pay cut would be normal as the industry resumes work after almost three months, Cine and TV Artists’ Association (CINTAA) and Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) have jointly demanded that producers’ association must agree upon the following:

1. The shift hours will strictly be 8 hours per day.

2. Payments to daily paid actors/ technicians/ workers have to be settled by the end of the day.

3. All contractual employees have to be paid in 30 days.

4. Conveyance has to be settled end of the day

5. Mandatory weekly holiday

6. Adherence to stringent health and safety protocols as per directives of the Government.

7. Insurance: Health & Life Insurance with Covid-19 specific coverage. We demand a 50-lac cover for actors / workers /technicians who succumb to death.

8. No pay cuts/discounts will be agreed by Actors/ workers /technicians post resuming to work.

9. No actor/ technicians/ workers would be replaced for refusing giving discounts on their emoluments.

10.Deployment of a well-equipped ambulance along with a Paramedical staff (Nurse) and a Doctor at the location

Things that will directly add up to extra costing to the production:

1. Presence of medical staff on sets

2. Sanitization tunnels

3. Hand sanitizers and hand wash for entire crew

4. Stand by Ambulances

5. Medical cover for all crew present on sets

6. Triple layer masks and gloves for every crew member present on sets

7. On set food and lodging arrangements for the crew

There will ​be additional costs ​to account for the greater number of working days that will be necessary to accommodate the fact that only 33% of staff can be on set at once.

“Effectively, producers will be shooting for half the month, artists and technicians will get work only for the half month and they will sit at home for the rest," says producer JD Majetha, who has produced popular shows Khichdi, Baa Bahu Aur Baby and Sarabhai Vs Sarabhai Take 2.

In the latest press release jointly issued by CINTAA and FWICE, they have listed demand that strictly need to be fulfilled before shootings begins.

Here are the demands that CINTAA and FWICE have specifically asked to be met before shooting resumes:

Shift hours strictly to be 8 hours per day.
Payments to daily paid actors/ technicians/ workers has to be settled end of the day.
All contractual employees have to be paid in 30 days.
Conveyance has to be settled end of the day
Mandatory weekly holiday
Adherence to stringent health and safety protocols as per directives of the Government.
Insurance: Health & Life Insurance with Covid-19 specific coverage. We demand a SO-lac cover for actors / workers /technicians who succumb to death.
No pay cuts/discounts will be agreed by Actors/ workers /technicians post resuming to work. No actor/ technicians/ workers would be replaced for refusing giving discounts on their emoluments.
Deployment of a well-equipped ambulance along with a Paramedical staff (Nurse) and a Doctor at the location