TV actor Mahajan feels that it is high time that all industry stakeholders get together to fight the COVID 19 menace.
“The govt is facing a catch 22 situation you can’t shut down the economy for long, yet if you open too quickly you might fritter away the sacrifices of the past 40 days. We can’t breathe a sigh of relief until a vaccine comes around. Luckily, both Italy and Israel have announced promising antibody breakthroughs,” says Kinshuk known for shows like Sapna Babul Ka…Bidaai, Chand Chupa Badal Mein and Afsar Bitiya.
“New practical protocols ensuring a safe shooting environment for actors and crew will need to be drawn up. Given the current scenario of rising COVID -19 cases in Mumbai and scary stories of bodies stacking up in the hospitals, I don’t think we can resume before July that too with strict restrictions.”
Kinshuk, last seen in Silsila Badalte Rishton Ka, would not mind taking a flat on rent close to set to avoid risk, “We can then test before going home once a week.”
He was in talks for a few projects,” but nothing has been finalized so far.”
Here, Kinshukh suggests that all producers should do compulsory health insurance of their cast and crew,” as channels do of their staff.”
“Some daily wage earners might not like a part of their income going towards premiums, but then nothing tops life right group insurance covers have lower payouts compared to individual policies. There might be one fly in the ointment though, insurance companies fearing huge drains in profits are planning a huge hike in premium. The finance ministry can soften the blow offering rebates.”
“Industry bodies also need to create corpuses, but as office bearers point out that some actors reluctant to shell out more than membership fees. Have we not seen several living in rented flats but zooming around in high-end wheels? Guys, now is the time to revisit our priorities in a crashed economy.”
In closing, Kinshuk pans recent govt decision to open liquor stores.
“Agreed they need to fill up their empty coffers, yet you can’t ignore its social consequences. Apart from overcrowding woes, there might be a spurt in cases of domestic violence. Chronic alcoholics might deny family food, to buy now even more even dearer booze.”