Lights, camera, action? Not quite yet!

The storm that raged the TV industry for several weeks is finally settling down. The Hindi GECs have uplifted their fresh content blackout thereby paving the way for producers to go ahead with their shoot. Most TV producers have solved their differences with the workers. However, there are still few production houses that aren’t just willing to succumb to the workers. There’s another round of talks that’s taking place today and if they bore fruit then it will be back to work for everyone from tomorrow. Talking of the unfolding scenario are some key players: SAB Business head Anooj Kapoor says, “The shooting for all our shows has commenced. Thus far, I haven’t heard of any interruptions.” Rajshri productions’ Kavita Barjatya revealed that shoot for all her shows will commence from tomorrow. Same is the case with NDTV Imagine’s flagship show Ramayan. Meanwhile, Sahara One’s Mata Ki Chowki is still awaiting the green signal. Swastik’s Creative director Siddharth. “We haven’t started to shoot yet. The four producers’ bodies will be meeting again and if all issues are sorted then we’d start shooting from tomorrow.” Tony Singh of DJ’s A Creative Unit, says that they’ve started shooting for all their shows. Sphere Origin too has resumed with the shooting of their shows Balika Vadhu and Mohe Rang De on Colors, Saat Phere on Zee. According to an official from Colors, few shows have started to shoot form today and by tomorrow the rest will follow. There is still no word on Shreya Creations’ show Ranbir Rano on Zee TV. Lead actress Sakshi Talwar says, “Thus far, we haven’t received any word from our producers. We’re all keeping our fingers crossed.” Rajesh Chaddha, one of the five sub-committee members under the core committee of all the producers’ bodies and also head of operations B.A.G Films Ltd, says, “There was some correction needed regarding the wages of workers which has been implemented now. There were disparities in the rates of the workers but now we have decided on a base rate which all the producers will adhere to regardless of the timeslot their show airs at. The workers will now be given a monthly package according to the base rate or their current package, whichever is higher will be maintained.” Talking on whether all shootings have resumed, Rajesh says, “It’s too early in the day to comment on it. 15-16 unit members have started shooting at 9:00 am and some will start at 2:00 pm. One expects some conflict but we will cross the bridge once we come to it.” So when are the broadcasters expected to air fresh content? “If everything goes fine then the fresh episodes of fiction shows will start airing from Monday, 1 December, 2008 and non-fiction shows will start airing their fresh episodes from this weekend,” informs Rajesh. Rajan Shahi, Producer Director’s Kut, too confirms that the shooting of Bidaai has resumed. He says, “We have resumed the shoot. One is going to follow the guidelines of the MoU signed on the 19th of November decided upon by the Producers’ Guild and the Federation of Western Cine Employees. The date of airing of fresh content has still not been communicated to me by the channel.” Producer Siddharth Malhotra of Cinevistaas, that currently has Dill Mill Gayye on air says, “Despite the strike being resolved, we are not able to start shooting. We had a 2 o’ clock shift today but the workers refused to sign the contract and resume work. The shoot had to be therefore cancelled. It has been three weeks since the shoots are on hold. It is about time we resume shooting. This fight between the producers and workers has reached a point where things can’t be continued in this way any more. There has to be an end to this.” Producer Dheeraj Kumar of Creative Eye states, “The shoot for all our shows has started. The workers were to be paid their legitimate dues and there is nothing wrong in them demanding it and getting it.” Creative Eye has Maayka, Betiyaan and Jai Maa Vaishno Dev i on air. Reality shows Voice of India, Indian Idol, Kaante Ki Takkar, Chota Packet…, have resumed shooting. Shows like Nach Baliye, Sa Re Ga Ma Pa … will also soon commence shooting.