Covid insurance can wait, desperate television industry returns to work

Eventually it was acute financial distress that overruled corona concerns in the 20-hour tussle between West Bengal Motion Picture Artists Forum, TV producers and channels.

TV shoots that were supposed to resume on Wednesday were cancelled on Tuesday night, as stakeholders took to social media to trade charges. At the heart of the impasse was the Forum’s suggestion: No Covid insurance, no shoot. Even though the medical checkups have commenced, it would take anything between a week and 10 days for the new corona insurance to come into effect. The Forum wanted the channels and producers to be held accountable for any unit member who could get infected in the interim.

But the desperation to get back to work in a state crippled by the twin blows of COVID-19 and Amphan outweighed all other concerns. Shooting begins today with 35 people on the floor, and in shifts, without corona insurance in effect.

The dispute and the delay

Actor Shankar Chakraborty, working president of the Forum, said, “We were ready to start work on Wednesday. It was decided that in case of serials the insurance of `25 lakh will be borne by the Forum (10%), producer (40%) and channel (50%). And in the case of films, 50% will be borne by the producer and the other 50% by the actors. But what if someone got infected and died before the insurance came into effect? We wanted the channels and producers to take responsibility and they refused. We had no option but to stop shooting.”

Business as usual from today

The day-long meetings and deliberations eventually saw the Forum softening its stance over paperwork, on verbal assurances from the producers. “It goes without saying that we shall be there to help any member on the floor in any distress. We, along with all other producers, are starting our shooting from tomorrow,” said Saibal Banerjee, whose Mohor, Sreemoyee, Kora Pakhi will go on the floors on Thursday and Nokshi Kantha from Friday.

Let’s be positive and shoot: Channel

Samrat Ghosh, cluster business head, east region, Zee Entertainment: “Why should we even think that one might get Covid during shooting? Let us all get back to work. We are extending insurance support in Bengal. It might take seven to 10 days, but it will be done.”

What other TV industries are doing

MUMBAI: Jamnadas Majethia, chairman, Indian Film and Television Council, said, “We have just spoken with a few insurance companies to include Covid, and hope to get more clarity soon. The insurance will cover actors and technicians on the set and the post-production people also. As of now, the negotiation is only for TV but I am sure it will trickle down to films as well. Usually the broadcaster bears the cost, but Corona has added to expenses and we will meet to work it out.”

CHENNAI: Medical insurance has been issued for nearly 30 serials, which have gone on floors now. Sujatha Vijayakumar, president of Society of Television Producers of Southern India (STEPS), said, “It is mandatory that both the actors and workers get medical insurance. As producers, we weren't in a position to do it. The TRPs keep fluctuating. Upon our request the channels have agreed to insure 35-40 people per serial. This will cover `2.5 lakh per person and is valid for a year. Only after the paperwork was done did we begin the shoot.”

Hyderabad: Prasada Rao, president, Telugu Television Producers Council, confirmed that stakeholders had a meeting on Wednesday to begin shoots immediately. The council has taken out health insurance that will cover cast and crew members. He also confirmed that the insurance will cover Covid and the council is working out if the channels will bear part of the costs. Celebspeak

“I am eager to get back to work. I know a lot of indoor and informal shooting took place during the lockdown. But the audience wants the lustre. Even the old episodes cannot satisfy them for long. I hope the audience will get the taste of the new episodes.”

— Rishi Kaushik, actor “While I will resume work on Friday for Prothoma Kadambini, I am disheartened by the fiasco and the way Artists Forum was cornered on social media. I feel the Forum’s decision was correct. Out of the 35 people, only artistes are expected to shoot without masks and protective gear. The Forum did not give any directive to stop shooting. It has always stood by the artistes and I stand by it now.” — Bidipta Chakraborty, actress

Source: The Times of India