Exclusive: From a makeup artist struggling to pay his kids' school fees to an actor selling fish to survive; here's how COVID19 lockdown hit Marathi TV industry

A statewide lockdown for 15 days has been imposed to contain the rapid spread of COVID-19 and as a result, TV shoots have been stalled. Like many other industries, the entertainment industry has also been affected and technicians including makeup artists, production crew members are going through a rough patch yet again. Etimes TV got a few makeup artists, production members, and actors talking about the 15-day curfew, stalling of shootings, their struggle for survival during the latest lockdown, and much more.

- Interview by Vaishnavi Gavankar

He said, "I don't have money to pay my children's school fees also. I have been working in the industry as a makeup artist for many years. I have somehow survived last year's lockdown, and this time, too, I feel it will be tough. Our union is there, which helps artists like me financially. Our union has requested Maharashtra CM to allow the shooting so that we can get work. I work for films, television, and plays, and I get money only when there is a shoot or a play. From the past two years, it's been really hard because no producer is investing their money in big projects and shows. Lockdown is fine for big actors and artists, but what about artists like me. We are daily wage workers and get paid only when we work. I have a family, and it's hard for them, too. I don't have money to pay my children's school fees, so I have requested the school management to give me some time but they are not ready. At least, the government should provide free groceries so that we can be relieved from the extra expenses."

"I was so happy a few days ago that I came back on the sets and started shooting. I have been through a really tough phase last year. I had suicidal thoughts, too, but I decided not to sit idle and started selling fish. I am still selling fish and side by side, pursuing my passion as well. At the end of the day, I am an actor, and what I love is acting and presenting my craft to the audience and now yet another lockdown has been imposed. There was a ray of hope, but this second lockdown ruined everything. It is really fine for big actors to survive for 15 days or even more but what about actors like me who are struggling. It's really disappointing and hurting," says Rohan.

He said, "Actually everyone is trying to adapt to the new normal from the last couple of months. Slowly and steadily, we were all trying our best to work like before, but everything is still not completely on track. Technicians like cameramen, lightmen, spot boys, and others have somehow managed to survive the previous lockdown and saw a ray of hope when everything is returning to normalcy. But it would be very challenging and even tougher for them now. There are many technicians in the TV industry who are the sole breadwinners of their family. Their entire family is dependent on them and lockdown will leave such families devastated. I feel everyone, who is not behaving responsibly even when there is a spike in COVID-19 cases, should first think about these people. It's going to be difficult for technicians and daily wage workers to survive."

I feel actors somehow will manage to survive but what about artists, crew and technicians. Also, we all were following all necessary precautions on the sets since July, 2020. I feel the authorities should have exempted the TV industry from the lockdown. There are also a few crew members who can't afford the lockdown because TV shootings are their only source of earning. It's a tough time for them.

"I feel it's hard for everyone. From big actors to production people like me, everyone is struggling to survive in this COVID-19 lockdown. I am also a farmer, and I work in the production department when there is a shooting. There is a different way of working for TV production and film production because film production people work for only a few days and TV production people work on an everyday basis and it's harder for them. I have been working in the industry for the last 27 years and have never ever witnessed this kind of rough patch ever in life. I feel somewhere relieved that I started farming apart from my production work but what about those who are only dependent on this work?" questions the technician.

- Interview by Vaishnavi Gavankar