Ekta Kapoor, Ashoke Pandit thank Maha CM Thackeray for guidelines to restart film industry

Popular TV producer Ekta Kapoor and director of Indian Film & Television Directors' Association (IFTDA), Ashoke Pandit took to ir Twitter handle to thank Chief Minister of Maharashtra Uddhav Thackeray for easing restrictions of lockdown on film industry. state government on Sunday issued a detailed set of guidelines for resumption of media entertainment activities in Maharashtra. standard operating principles enable Indian film industry to restart production but under a controlled environment.

Balaji Telefilms head Ekta Kapoor thanked CM for his consideration to resume production work in last phase of lockdown. Ashoke Pandit shared official statement of Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) and expressed gratitude for allowing industry to resume operations keeping everyone's safety in mind.

Have a look:

Read | Ekta Kapoor, ors speak to CM Thackeray on video call; details of meeting revealed

Following gradual lifting of restrictions under 'Unlock 1',  Maharashtra government has issued a standard operating procedure (SOP) for resumption of services in media and entertainment industry. Under SOP, several guidelines have been issued for gradual resumption of services keeping in mind social distancing and hygiene including sanitisation of offices prior to reopening, regular disinfection in daily course of business and making hand sanitisers mandatory at multiple locations within office premises.

Read | Maha CM Uddhav Thackeray defends gradual easing of lockdown rms; COVID tally at 67,655

Guiding principles

As part of set of new rules, government has said that producers will have to conduct pre-production and post-production by adhering to guidelines laid down by government. A session on educating and sensitising employees on sets or studios and also in post-production edit facilities will have to be scheduled. Once entire team is made aware of rules, any violation of rules will lead to stopping of work.

Social distancing rms will have to be followed strictly with a focus on personal hygiene. A crowd cant be allowed to be gared while shooting is on. rms have to be adhered to while using air conditioning system (on sets) with focus on as much ventilation as possible. guidelines also include a set of precautions to be taken while transporting shooting equipment, artists and technicians.

Read | Maha govt issues guiding principles, conditional permission to restart film shooting

Sanitisation of equipment, daily fumigation of studios, regular temperature screening and oxygen level monitoring to be conducted by medical practitioners on sets. Many such guidelines of every step of production has been detailed by State Government. Meanwhile, following Centre's lockdown extension in containment zones, Maharashtra has issued lockdown guidelines for new lockdown-- 'Mission Begin Again' valid till June 30 in three different phases.

Read | Maharashtra Govt issues SOP for resumption of activities in media & entertainment industry