Amitabh Bachchan’s Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC) and The Kapil Sharma Show (TKSS) are the latest victims of the indefinite strike by cine employees in Mumbai; shooting for the shows were put on hold on Wednesday.
However, several other producers and actors continued to shoot amid tight police security. The strike call, issued by the Federation of Western India Cine Employees from Tuesday, has got the support of 22 other cine unions including those from other language film industries, said Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) President Birendra Nath Tiwari.
Those on strike include spot boys, junior artists, technicians, cameramen, art directors, set designers, style photographers, stunt masters, make-up artistes and costume suppliers.
They have been informed that in view of the strike, no cine-related work would be done and shooting schedules would have to be cancelled, both in studios and outdoor locales.
FWICE union members have been protesting outside the gate of the Film City in Mumbai to voice their demand for better pay, working hours, conditions and provision for their safety and security.
According to a source from Sony Entertainment Channel, the shooting of KBC and Kapil Sharma’s comedy show were not happening on Wednesday in Film City, but work on The Drama Company was on at Filmistan Studio.
A source from Zee TV said the shootings have been going on amid “adequate police protection”.
FWICE general secretary Dilip Pithwa said that currently, the workers toil away for nearly 18 hours daily but their payments are released only after three-six months.
