Cine bodies aim to inoculate 10,000 artistes, workers

Farhan Akhtar’s studio played a role in securing the vaccines

The first step towards getting Bollywood back on its feet is to ensure the vaccination of all involved. The Producers' Guild of India and the Indian Film & Television Directors' Association (IFTDA), in tandem with the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE), are organising vaccination drives for the cast and crews of film units in the coming weeks.

The unions are collectively aiming to immunise close to 10,000 people, including artistes, producers, daily-wage workers and freelancers employed with active productions.

Karan Johar will sponsor his employees' inoculation

The Guild, which consists of leading Indian film, television and digital content producers, will launch the drive for its members and their production crews tomorrow. The six-day programme will be held at Mehboob Studios in Bandra. Manish Goswami, vice-president, Guild, says, "We are targeting close to 5,000 people. Those registered on Co-WIN can receive their vaccination at the venue. This is being done in association with Bhakti Vedanta Hospital, and each jab is priced at Rs 1,000. The cost is being borne by the respective production houses." They may increase the vaccine rollout, depending on the turnout.

The cast and crew of OTT offerings will also be eligible for the jab

Close to 25 studios, including Karan Johar's Dharma Productions, Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani's Excel Entertainment and Rohit Shetty Picturez, have signed up for the initiative. The cast and crews of OTT platforms, including Amazon Prime Video and Netflix India, are expected to participate. Siddharth Roy Kapur, president, Guild, adds, "An activity of such magnitude cannot be carried out single-handedly. We are grateful for the support we have received, especially from Excel Entertainment, which played a pivotal role in securing the vaccines, and Mehboob Productions, which generously offered complimentary use of the spacious Mehboob Studios."

Siddharth Roy Kapur and Ashoke Pandit

The IFTDA and FWICE will conduct their parallel immunisation camp for 5,000 members at the Federation office in Andheri. "We have tied up with Surya Hospital, and will start the drive between June 10 and 15. All producers, technicians and workers will be eligible. The initiative has been organised by the Federation," says Ashoke Pandit, president, IFTDA. Aditya Chopra, head honcho of Yash Raj Films, had pledged to sponsor inoculation of 30,000 daily wagers. It is heard that the Chief Minister's Office has sent its approval to proceed with the plan. Pandit adds, "YRF will vaccinate 30,000 workers [in the weeks to come]. After the Andheri drive, we plan to set up another camp at Film City."

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