Cine employees urge Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray to allow post-production work

The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE), the apex body of film industry workers' associations, has written to Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray requesting him to grant permission to resume post-production work on projects that have been shot. This, they say, will also provide work to technicians who have been out of work because of the lockdown that began on 22 March.

“We would like to bring to your kind notice that there are numerous projects of the media and entertainment industry which are halted due to [the] lockdown and can be completed soon as only the post-production activities such as editing, sound recording, music recording and others are pending,” said the letter signed by Ashoke Pandit, chief adviser to the FWICE, BN Tiwari, president, Ashok Dubey, general secretary, and Gangeshwarlal Shrivastav, treasurer.

“If permissions are given to carry out such post-production activities of these projects, which can be done in closed studios with minimum workforce, it would be a great relief to the producers who have poured in huge funds and they shall be all set to release their projects immediately after the lockdown is lifted,” continued the letter.

The FWICE also assured the chief minister that all safety measures would be taken if permission to resume work were granted. “We assure you of complying with all the necessary guidelines pertaining to the health, safety and security of the workers involved in such post-production activities," its letter said.