JD Majethia opens up on the meeting with CM Uddhav Thackeray; says TV industry will resume work before Films!

Broadcasters and Television Producers recently had a virtual meeting with Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Uddhav Thackeray. In the meeting, they discussed various ways to resume shooting for shows and films on a limited scale and by ensuring complete safety and the guidelines issued. 

Producer JD Majethia, Chairman- Television and Web, Indian Film and Television Producers Council (IFTPC) got in touch with Mumbai Mirror where he revealed that it was a very positive meeting. JD Majethia mentioned that the CM has asked them for a plan to work in studios in aread like FilmCity and several others beyond Dahisar. However, he doesn't want shooting to move out of Maharashtra and the committee has started identifying floors at studios. 

Talking about the proposed guidelines, JD shared that he studied about the International markets where shootings have resumed. He also said that the sets will be constantly sanitised and there will be a doctor and an ambulance on stand-by. He added that sanitisers, make-shift wash-basins, masks will be provided to the entire technical crew and social distancing norms will be strictly followed with restricted movement on the set. 

He further added, "Since the CM is from an advertising background, he joked about how cramped postproduction studios are. We assured him that things have changed over the years. The committee will identify studios where social distancing can be maintained and post production can be started. We have requested immediate permission to put up monsoon shades and look into fire safety and hygiene. Every point was noted by the committee and the CM sounded optimistic, though we are aware that it will be difficult to live without these guidelines in the near future. In fact, they will need to be updated from everyday learning to make shoots safer."

JD also mentioned that TV industry will resume work before Films, he added, "TV industry will resume work before films, given that they have sets standing and shoots can take place in a controlled environment. It’s too early to say when shooting will start because new developments are happening every day. But a dialogue has started, which gives us hope that things will start soon."