Coronavirus: Rajan Shahi, Binaifer Kohli And Other TV Producers Unite To Fight COVID-19
News
oi-Lekhaka
By Lekhaka
As
multiple
important
film
and
television
associations
have
come
together
to
decide
a
halt
on
the
shootings
happening
in
India,
the
big
names
in
the
Indian
television
industry
are
all
in
sync
with
the
decision
not
gather
around
for
shoots
till
March
31,
2020.
What
do
you
think
about
the
decision?
Agree
or
disagree?
Rajan
Shahi:
I
totally
agree
and
endorse
the
decision.
At
this
point,
nothing
else
matters
more
than
human
lives
and
the
security
and
the
health
of
every
member
of
the
unit
is
of
paramount
importance.
This
is
above
any
consideration;
safety
is
above
everything
else
be
it
the
telecast.
Binaifer
Kohli:
This
is
the
best
decision
to
stop
shooting.
It's
like
we
are
sitting
on
a
time
bomb.
It
was
making
me
feel
very
guilty
that
we
were
unable
to
stop
shooting.
It
has
given
me
great
relief
I
agree
completely
with
the
rest
of
film
and
television
associations
to
stop
the
shoots
till
March
31,
in
order
to
stop
Coronavirus
from
affecting
further
lives.
Mahesh
Pandey:
Nothing
is
more
valuable
than
human
life,
which
can't
be
compromised
for
anything
be
it
money
or
fame.
Our
life
will
not
be
affected
much
and
I
will
try
my
best
to
safeguard
the
interests
of
my
unit.
The
industry
will
have
a
strong
impact,
but
the
need
of
the
hour
is
that
we
have
to
stop
this
virus
from
spreading.
I
extend
my
wholehearted
support
to
this
decision
taken
by
the
industry
and
the
first
step
towards
combating
the
virus
is
by
social
distancing.
The
whole
onus
does
not
only
lie
with
the
government
alone
but
also
each
one
of
us
can
in
our
own
capacity
take
remedial
measures
to
prevent
the
spread.
Amir
Jaffar:
Yes,
it
was
necessary.
More
of
a
precaution
than
anything.
The
producers
had
been
debating
about
it
since
last
week
but
it's
not
just
about
the
shoots,
but
also
telecasts
and
the
channels
had
also
to
come
on
board.
Thankfully
the
channels
are
cooperating
as
well.
Everyone
is
coming
together
for
everyone
else.
Should
this
happen
now
when
the
government
hasn't
asked
so?
Because
not
just
shootings,
there
are
many
industries
that
have
a
number
of
employees?
Rajan
Shahi:
At
this
time,
it
is
better
to
be
safe
than
sorry
and
I
totally
endorse
the
decision
taken
by
the
respective
bodies.
In
today's
time
prevention
is
the
best
thing
we
can
do
like
avoid
mass
gatherings.
I'm
telling
my
family
to
avoid
gatherings,
so
why
should
I
not
tell
my
other
family,
which
is
my
unit.
Binaifer
Kohli:
Even
if
the
government
hasn't
asked
this,
we
should
self-quarantine
ourselves
but
are
not
taking
it
seriously.
There
are
many
employees
in
different
industries
who
have
been
affected
but
if
they
have
not
taken
the
decision,
it
doesn't
mean
that
we
won't
either," says
the
producer.
Amir
Jaffar:
The
government
is
doing
its
bit
in
controlling
issuing
advisories
but
we
can't
or
shouldn't
wait
for
their
orders.
I
am
hoping
in
a
couple
of
weeks'
time,
the
government
efforts
are
going
to
show
positive
results
and
our
steps
too
will
contribute
towards
the
same.
As
they
say,
prevention
is
better
than
cure.
Who
do
you
think
this
will
affect
the
most
and
what
do
you
suggest
should
be
done
about
that?
Rajan
Shahi:
First
of
all,
we
should
take
it
day
by
day
and
step
by
step
and
take
care.
The
precaution
is
stopping
mass
gatherings.
Each
day
will
be
monitored
and
we
will
decide
the
further
course
of
action.
Binaifer
Kohli:
The
industry
will
suffer
economically
but
not
in
any
other
way.
What
is
economics
compared
to
human
life?
If
something
would
happen
to
anyone,
the
whole
industry
would
feel
guilty
about
it.
I
think
this
is
a
superb
decision
that
has
been
taken
in
compliance
with
channel
heads,
producers,
the
workers.
I
think
everybody
together
has
taken
this
decision.
It
will
affect
the
daily
wagers
a
lot.
Be
it
the
spot
boy,
the
lightman
and
everyone
else,
but
if
the
producer,
every
broadcaster
thinks
that
they
are
part
of
a
family,
then
we
should
take
care
of
them.
We
should
at
least
give
them
half-day
of
wages.
Suppose
they
are
affected
and
we
have
promised
them
to
stay
at
home
and
we
will
take
care
of
them
and
now
that
they
have
made
this
choice,
I
think
we
should
support
them.
They
are
part
of
our
families.
In
my
unit,
there
are
people,
who
have
been
working
for
25
years.
They
are
my
family
and
I
will
look
after
them.
Mahesh
Pandey:
On
any
given
day
there
are
more
than
100
people
on
the
set
and
they
are
on
daily
wages.
We
will
ensure
that
they
don't
suffer
and
pay
them
their
dues
without
any
pay
cut
as
this
is
beyond
anyone's
control.
We
are
in
this
together
and
that's
how
we
will
be
able
to
overcome
this
pandemic.
Amir
Jaffar:
The
decision
to
call
offshoots
is
going
to
affect
the
broadcasters
and
the
producers,
financially.
The
workers
on
our
shoots
will
be
taken
care
of
financially,
so
they
needn't
worry
much.
Right
now
all
efforts
are
to
contain.
Three
days
shoot
will
be
on,
so
what
are
the
precautions
taken
by
you?
Rajan
Shahi:
We
have
tried
to
cut
down
on
the
unit
strength,
minimize
the
number
of
people
on
existing
shoots.
We
have
stocked
sanitizers
and
have
urged
everyone
not
to
create
a
panic
and
give
out
false
rumors,
thermals
have
been
installed
on
the
set,
a
team
of
doctors
is
monitoring
the
unit
and
checking
if
they
have
and
symptoms.
I
pray
and
hope
for
the
well-being
of
not
just
the
people
in
the
industry
but
the
world
over.
Binaifer
Kohli:
"We
have
taken
all
precautions
on
our
set.
I
have
got
a
fumigation
machine,
I
have
got
a
doctor
coming
on
the
set,
there
are
sanitizers
and
compulsory
washing
of
hands,
enough
supply
of
water,
tea,
coffee,
and
every
other
precaution.
But
nothing
compares
to
precaution
especially
for
a
disease
that
has
no
cure.
We
have
to
unanimously
take
it.
There
is
no
cost
to
a
happy
and
healthy
life," she
says.
Adding
to
that,
she
says,
"This
is
the
best
decision
to
stop
shooting.
It's
like
we
are
sitting
on
a
time
bomb.
It
was
making
me
feel
very
guilty
that
we
were
unable
to
stop
shooting.
It
has
given
me
great
relief."
Amir
Jaffar:
We
have
taken
the
necessary
steps
towards
the
prevention
of
COVID-19.
We
have
circulated
circulars
on
the
set
and
also
verbally
making
people
aware
of
following
basic
hygiene
such
as
using
hand
sanitizers,
washing
hands,
consuming
warm
drinks
and
covering
mouth
while
coughing.
We
also
have
medical
practitioners
visiting
the
set
to
check
up
on
the
unit.