Marathi film body insists on following rules

KOLHAPUR: Taking serious note of veteran Marathi actress Ashalata Wabgaonkar’s death due to Covid-19 during shooting of a serial, the Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Chitrapat Mahamandal has stepped in to ensure all the norms laid down by the government are followed.
Mahamandal has 47,000 members including artists, directors, musicians, producers, camera personnel and all those associated with the film industry.
The Mahamanda has warned all the production houses, involved in serials and films, that it would not hesitate to take legal action with the help of police and local administration if they receive complaints about violation of government rules.
Meghraj Bhosale, the president of Mahamandal, told TOI that they had received feedback about norms like social distancing, medical check-up and washing of hands not being followed at many shooting locations. “We have received complaints of one room being shared by three or four people”, he said.
Bhosale said that Mahamandal was in contact with its members for the feedback after Ashalata’s death to know the ground reality at the shooting locations. Bhosale said it was the responsibility of the industry to follow all the rules.
However, sources in the Marathi film industry said things were getting compromised mainly because of the cost factor. “We will have to inflate our budget if the government rules are to be followed, which is not possible”, said a prominent producer on the condition of anonymity.
Bhosale, however, said he has communicated to all the producers to take special care of the elderly, who might have health issues due to the age. “Government will be forced to rethink about the permission if an incident like this happens again. It will create more problems for the industry”, he said.
The shootings are being opposed at few villages after the death of Ashalata Wabgaonkar, said the sources. The residents have approached the administration with complaints about Covid rules not being followed.
Film and serial shootings are currently taking place at around 150 places in Maharashtra. Officials in Satara district said shootings of 15 Marathi serials were in progress while more applications for permission are pending. Satara and Kolhapur districts are favourite destinations because of their scenic beauty and infrastructure.
On September 22, veteran Marathi actress Ashalata Wabgaonkar succumbed to Covid-19 in a private hospital in Satara.
She was in Satara for the shooting a serial. Officials had identified 22 Covid patients involved in the shooting of the serial.