Tollywood urges government to allow film shootings

The entertainment industry is reeling under the Covid-19 crisis after theatres shut operations and film shootings and production-related works came to a grinding halt on March 19. On Monday, a delegation of representatives of Tollywood convened a meeting with cinematography minister Talasani Srinivas Yadav at actor Chiranjeevi's residence and urged the government to allow film shootings.

Pointing to the gradual easing of lockdown by the central and state governments, Chiranjeevi said, "The lockdown in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic has severely affected the livelihood of daily wage workers and technicians, who often live a hand-to-mouth existence in the industry. We request the (Telangana) government to allow us to resume film shootings and reopen cinema theatres. We guarantee to adhere to the guidelines and take all necessary precautions at the shooting locations."

Echoing similar views, director SS Rajamouli added, "The number of people on the sets and hygiene will be taken care of. We will shoot with limited cast and crew and we request the government to draft an action plan as to what can be the working conditions."

Citing the example of how the Thailand government has allowed film shootings by putting in several protocols in place, actor Nagarjuna requested the Minister to grant border clearance for actors and technicians from other industries to travel to Hyderabad.

Acknowledging the request of the delegation, Talasani said, "The government will consider all these opinions and will make guidelines on how shooting and other production-related works can be resumed by adhering to physical distancing rules and other norms."

Also present at the meeting were directors Trivikram Srinivas, Koratala Siva, producers Allu Aravind, C Kalyan, S Radha Krishna, and Dil Raju.