Covid test for Tollywood technicians starts, 10 +ve

Kolkata: On Monday morning, 136 free Rapid Antigen Tests were done for technicians engaged in the shooting of serials like ‘Mithai’, ‘Agnishikha’ and ‘E Poth Jodi Na Sesh Hoy’ at the Bharatlaxmi Studio. The results, which came in by evening, showed that 10 technicians have been infected by the Covid-19.
Had these tests not been done, the asymptomatic technicians would have continued shooting without anyone raising an eyebrow.The president of Federation of Cine Technicians & Workers of Eastern India (FCTWEI), Swarup Biswas, told TOI that all the infected technicians have been isolated. “Arrangements are being made to take care of them in terms of medicines. We are trying to repeat these tests after 15-20 days,” he said. On being asked if shooting should be discontinued now that the situation is so critical, he said, “Federation knows how much technicians suffered during lockdown since no work means no pay for technicians. Work has to go on.”
Meanwhile, a new SOP has been signed by West Bengal Motion Picture Artists’ Forum (WBMPAF) and Welfare Association of Television Producers (WATP). It has been decided that shooting will not be stalled unless state/centre instructs otherwise. All shooting has to end by 8 pm. Outdoor shootings need to be avoided. Artists can’t shoot beyond 10 hours daily. No more than 35 people will be allowed at any point in time on the floor. Ruling out forced participation of the cast, the SOP states that no non-contractual artist will be replaced in an ongoing show if he or she can’t shoot due to the pandemic. However, disciplinary action will be taken if an artist chooses to turn up at one shoot and not for another during the same time period. Use of boom microphones instead of lapels is being encouraged. Maintaining social distancing, sanitization and wearing of masks have been made mandatory on the sets and makeup rooms. Life insurance of artists is also mandatory.
The test drive is hopefully going to help ensure a healthier working environment on the sets though some have reasoned that it will not ensure a bio-secure bubble. “On Monday, some light caretakers and tea boys have also been tested. However, I have heard some say that if a person gets tested today, it doesn’t mean he or she will be safe the day after. By that logic, we should stop getting tests done across the country. This mentality has to change in order to run the show. I sincerely appeal to artists to be less rigid and leave their ego aside. They can get access to our free tests too,” Biswas said.
Actor-turned-BJP member Rupa Bhattacharjee, who is a member of WBMPAF and is currently shooting for the series, ‘Bikram-Betal’, has welcomed this move. “If Federation has taken this initiative for the benefit of the industry, I will rise above my political differences and congratulate the efforts taken. We are freelancers and need shooting to continue without any glitch. Anyone ensuring that is pro-industry and I support such a move,” she said.
In the coming days, tests will be done on 19 shooting floors. On Tuesday, this drive will take place at Veeline studio where shooting is in progress for ‘Sanjher Bati’, ‘Ogo Nirupoma’, ‘Dhrubotara’ and ‘Rimli’. Producer of these serials Sani Ghosh Ray described the testing drive as a “great initiative”. “It will be of greater help if the tests are done at the end of the day. That will ensure a certificate is available before the shoot commences the next day,” said Ghosh Ray, who is also the secretary of WATP. Biswas, however, said that technically this might not be a workable situation. “We will organize a vaccination drive. We are trying to procure the vaccines privately. If not, we will approach our chief minister for help,” he added.