COVID-19: Patiala Babes’ Producers To Provide Financial Aid To The Crew Till End Of Lockdown
The outbreak of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) and the lockdown in place in India to prevent its spread is taking a big toll on the entertainment industry, particularly the television business. As a res
The
outbreak
of
Novel
Coronavirus
(COVID-19)
and
the
lockdown
in
place
in
India
to
prevent
its
spread
is
taking
a
big
toll
on
the
entertainment
industry,
particularly
the
television
business.
As
a
result,
Sony
TV
recently
announced
that
it
would
be
abruptly
shutting
down
three
of
its
shows
including
Patiala
Babes.
However,
the
show's
writer-producer
Rajita
Sharma
and
Vivek
Budakoti
have
decided
to
extend
financial
assistance
to
their
crew
in
these
difficult
times.
Despite
going
off-air,
they
will
continue
to
pay
the
Patiala
Babes
team
of
over
60
members
a
fixed
stipend
every
month
till
the
end
of
lockdown.
The
aid
amount
will
range
anywhere
between
10,000
to
25000
rupees
per
person
for
the
show’s
light
men,
spot
boys,
setting
workers,
sound
assistants,
assistant
directors,
production
assistants,
and
the
creative
team.
Speaking
about
their
decision,
the
producer
duo
stated,
“The
pandemic
seems
to
be
preparing
for
a
long
haul
and
as
the
show
is
shut,
our
workers
are
jobless.
We
have
decided
to
share
whatever
little
profit
we
earned
with
our
fellow
workers
who
made
us
what
we
are
as
a
production
house.
This
is
our
commitment
and
support
to
our
colleagues
and
will
be
on
for
as
much
time
it
takes
for
the
industry
to
resume
shoot.”
On
being
quizzed
about
Patiala
Babes
abrupt
ending,
Rajita
Sharma
replied
by
expressing
her
sadness
and
as
the
story
remains
'unfinished
and
untold’.
She
added,
“It
was
encouraging
that
Sony
gave
us
a
platform
to
bring
to
life
our
very
bold
narrative.
Since
the
whole
world
is
under
siege,
these
times
call
for
some
unfortunate
but
necessary
measures.
Patiala
Babes
will
always
remain
close
to
our
heart.”