COVID-19 | Malayalam film industry seeks govt nod to resume shooting

The request comes close on the heels of the government decision to permit shooting of television serials from last week.

The worsening financial situation induced by the pandemic has prompted the Malayalam film industry to seek government nod to resume shooting of movies in tune with the COVID-19 protocol. The request comes close on the heels of the government decision to permit shooting of television serials from last week. "We have requested the government to permit indoor shooting with a restricted crew. The shooting of movies could resume with people who have received two doses of vaccination," G. Suresh Kumar, president of Kerala Film Chamber of Commerce, the apex body of trade bodies in the industry, told The Hindu on July 5. The shooting of movies and television serials was suspended following the second wave on April 29. The permission to resume shooting of serials was taken last week. Mr. Suresh Kumar said that nearly 60 movies were held up at various stages of pre- and post-production work following the second wave of the pandemic. "The crisis has taken a toll on the livelihood of many workers in the industry. Their resources have drained up and we need to help them by resuming shooting," he said.