Ready action plan on limited resumption of film shoots: Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday asked entertainment industry to prepare an action plan on limited resumption of film shooting and post-production activities by hering to social distancing rms amidst coronavirus-induced lockdown.

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Thackeray, however, ruled out reopening of cinema halls or atres anytime soon.

Shooting for films as well as or production activities remained suspended since mid-March in view of coronavirus pandemic.

" government would consider aaction plan on how shooting and post-production activities can be resumed in a limited way by hering to social distancing and or rms," Thackeray told a delegation of representatives of entertainment industry, especially from Marathi atre, television and cinema.

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prominent demands of industry included saving single-screen atres, helping poor music composers, and waiving GST on film production.

Thackeray told delegates that he didn't believe that clamping of lockdown meant everything coming to a standstill.

"We have allowed industries, tre and shops to open by taking all precautions. Commercial activities have also started in state barring containment zones," an official statement quoted Thackeray as saying on occasion.

CM said huge entertainment industry comprises various elements like actors, backst artists, technicians and workers.

Thackeray said his government would consider providing rent concessions to production houses which have ir sets erected in Film City and supporting folk artists.

Referring to demand of producers to allow resumption of shootings and post-production work, CM said demand can be considered in "n-red" zones in state.

"However, care will have to be taken to ensure that locations for shooting a film are t situated in containment zones and that number of people on sets and ir hygiene taken care of," he stated.

For editing studios, guidelines will have to be issued regarding and air conditioning system, he said.

CM also asked state Culture department and producers to check if some shootings can take place before start of monsoon, statement said.

Shooting of about 70 Hindi and 40 Marathi films, 10 webseries h stopped because of coronavirus pandemic, which has affected livelihood of more than three lakh workers and technicians, it said.

As per estimates, 30,000 episodes of television content are produced every year.

" total investment in Hindi television is Rs 5000 crore and in Marathi it is Rs 250 crore," statement quoted delegation telling CM.

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Im credit: PTI