FWICE president BN Tiwari: Vaccine centres can be set up in Mira Road, Madh

Ram Setu will resume as soon as the junta curfew is called off

In mid-April, leading films bodies had jointly shot off a letter to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, discussing the possibility of a mass vaccination drive for all film workers (Film City board ready to open vaccination booth, April 17). In the days since, as it patiently awaited a reply from the CMO, the entertainment industry started feeling the pinch of the shutdown as countless productions remained halted and daily wagers flocked to their hometowns. Now, the film associations - including the Indian Film and Television Producers' Council (IFTPC), Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE), Indian Motion Picture Producers' Association (IMPPA), and others - have shortlisted three centres, and intend to send another letter with a detailed inoculation plan to the state government, seeking its approval.

A meeting with leading producers and stakeholders of the industry was lined up yesterday to take stock of the situation. Hours before the meeting, JD Majethia, chairman, television & web, IFTPC, told mid-day, "After the internal meeting today, we will write another letter to the CM. Our industry has 10,000 active members [who are attached to ongoing projects] and over five lakh members. We want to set up camps so that they can easily get vaccinated."

The shoot of Phone Bhoot

BN Tiwari, president of FWICE revealed that while the initial inoculation plan included setting up booths at Film City, the associations have now identified two more locations that can be easily accessible for workers. "The centres can be set up in Film City, Madh Island and Mira Road. Several serials are shot in and around [Mira Road]. We need these centres so that the unit hands can take a break from their work and take the jab," he reasons.

Uddhav Thackeray and BN Tiwari

Pulling off the initiative will be easier said than done at a time when the state is facing shortage of vaccines, and centres are being temporarily shut. Majethia said, "Shortage of vaccination is a painful [reality] at the moment. So, it will take a little time, but we will ensure our members are safe." While the state government has announced free jabs for everyone in the age bracket of 18 to 44 years from May 1, Majethia said they will seek the government's assistance in the logistical aspects, such as transportation, storage and administering of doses.