Announcement of strike at Film City affects shooting of daily soaps

The entire entertainment industry was gripped with concern when certain sections of the media reported that FWICE was planning to go on a strike in Film City, Mumbai from 1 December 2011. Reason: To solve security issues in the premises and get more restrooms in the vicinity. But thankfully, the strike got called off at the last moment on 30 November 2011. However, the mere announcement was enough to affect the shooting schedules of many daily soaps. Memories of the long-drawn out strike a couple of years ago, are still fresh in people's minds. The cast and crew of Zee TV’s show Yahaan Main Ghar Ghar Kheli had to bring its schedule to an abrupt halt and bring in necessary changes at the last minute. The show was to have an interesting twist wherein Abha would have been kidnapped and her lookalike would have made an entry. However, due to the strike the creative team came up with an alternate track. “We had to make changes. Sometimes for a daily soap we don’t have a bank of episodes. But foreseeing the strike, the creatives decided to shoot an alternate track. But now that the strike is called off the alternate track will go on-air as a single episode,” says Karan V Grover who plays Karan in the show. The sudden changes in the work schedule also affected the cast and crew of Siddharth Tewary’s Navya. “Luckily, when the news broke we had a shooting sequence in a city-based shopping mall. So, we did not have to shoot in Film City. But we were told to shoot for more hours as the makers wanted to create a bank fearing the strike. So it was quite a stressful moment,” narrates Soumya Seth who plays the role of Navya in the show. While some had to work extra hours fearful of the strike, there were also some who got a lucky break from the hectic schedule. “Luckily, our show had a bank of episodes. So, when the news of the impending strike broke, we were given a holiday. We immediately planned our day off. But later the strike was called off and we got back to work,” says Gaurav S Bajaj who plays Daksh in Sapno Se Bhare Naina. Well, just the announcement of strike created ripples in the industry. Wonder what would have happened if actually Film City went on a strike. Whatever, be it. We don’t want our favourite shows to get affected due to strikes. After all, the show must always go on!!!