Coronavirus has not only impacted people's health but also their jobs and earnings. Bollywood industry and its workers have also suffered due to the Corona scare. In order to bring relief to the daily wage workers, the Producers Guild of India had earlier set up a relief fund for those who will be most hit by the complete shutdown of the film, television show and web series shoot from March 19 to 31. The shoots were halted as a precautionary measure against the coronavirus pandemic. But the Movie Stunt Artist Association assured that the stunt artistes of the industry are on safe ground for now.
Talking to a leading daily, Aejaz Gulab, general secretary of the association, said, "Stunt artistes fall under the bracket of daily wage workers and get paid Rs 4730 per shift. [But the difference is that] our wages are higher compared to those of lightmen or spot boys. So, we haven't received any complaint from members of the stunt team so far. Our association also has a special fund that has been accumulated through donations [over the years]; it has been developed for such crises."
While all shoots have been halted till March 31, buzz is that the suspension may well be extended to April. Gulab, well-aware that the situation may worsen in the coming weeks, shared that a meeting with members of the association is scheduled for March 26. "We will see if the funds are enough; if not, we will decide the way ahead. We haven't asked any [cine bodies] or stars for help yet. Who knows, we may get a helping hand from Sanjay Dutt or Salman Khan. We are thick with them, and they have always favoured us."
(Source: Mid Day)
