The state government recently announced the recommencement of film and television shoots. However, one of the regulations mentioned that actors and technicians above the age of 65 years will not be allowed in the shooting area. This has created an uproar in the industry. Last week, Hema Malini had sent a letter to the Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla, requesting an amendment in the resolution. The veteran actor and politician gave examples of Amitabh Bachchan, Anupam Kher and herself claiming that they will be restricted from completing their previous projects.
Veteran actor Shabana Azmi who was to film Nikhil Advani’s Mughal declares the rule to be discriminatory.
According to a report by MidDay, Shabana Azmi said—
A small portion of Vikas Khanna’s untitled film has yet to be shot. What happens to these projects? Why should producers have to sign on younger artistes and make them sport grey hair? Why is this rule applied only to the film industry, and not politicians? Will they ensure that no leader above 65 will attend any political rally,” she questions, before pointing out that it affects the livelihoods of countless senior technicians. “They don’t run parallel businesses whereby they can make up their losses.
Actor Paresh Rawal too spoke his mind on this issue. He said, even though he understands that this decision has been made keeping in mind the safety of all. However, the 65-year-old actor feels that the implementation is impracticable. He said—
The sets should have the necessary safety measures in place, including sanitisation. So many doctors and nurses over 65 years of age are on the field every day. They are exposed to more severe conditions.