Artiste files plea in Bombay HC against bar on those above 65 at shootings

MUMBAI: A condition barring persons above 65 from participating in shootings deprived them of a livelihood and they are facing starvation, a film and TV artiste told Bombay high court.
Pramod Pandey (70) urged HC to quash and set aside the condition, mentioned in May 3 and June 23 guidelines, to restart media entertainment industry for Mission Begin Again, that “any cast/crew above 65 will not be allowed at the site”.
Pandey’s petition, filed through advocate Ashok Saraogi, said he was a writer, acted in films and TV serials and was fully dependent on his profession, which was his only source of income and livelihood. “The petitioner is starving for want of funds, and if the condition remains, he and alike persons will not be able to earn a livelihood,” it stated, adding that there was no financial support from organisations.
The petition stated that the situation will not improve in near future and at least was not expected to be back on track in few months. “It is an unhidden fact that the disease (Covid-19) has not only affected elders but also persons of all age groups and there was no criteria, though general guidelines indicated that the possibilities of a person getting affected with it are more with those aged above 65,” it added.
Pandey dismissed it as “only assertions and imagination of the departments concerned” and added that “if facts and figures are called for, it will be found that majority persons affected by the disease are below 65”. He pointed out that persons above 65, “including top-most authorities in India on the administrative side, have been functioning regularly”.
He sought a stay on the condition pending hearing and disposal of the petition.