Workers’ scuffle mars resumption of TV shoot

The first day of shooting of television programmes, after a three-week hiatus, was marred by scuffles between two groups of workers — one still striking and the other who have resumed — on Monday. The incidents took place at Film City and Madh Island.

A section of workers was angry over the fact that a large section of the workers had rejoined work even as they were still on strike over more wages. Shooting got disrupted at both the locations as the workers’ leaders huddled together to sort out the differences between them.

“Shootings were going on in full swing when a group of workers attacked the staff who were on duty. The workers shouted that no shooting can happen until the grievances of all the workers were sorted out,” said a  member of the producer’s body.

Union leaders reportedly rushed to the scene. “They wanted to stall the shooting and there were heated discussions. Many of the staff were manhandled. But, thankfully things got sorted out later. All the workers have decided to start work from Tuesday.”

“I don’t know why people are leaking these things to the media. We are all united and nothing like this happened. We have shot for around 37 serials on Monday,” said Dinesh Chaturvedi, general secretary of FWICE.

The official statement from the producers’ body was also guarded. Said Mukesh Bhatt, chairman of the producers’ body, “I am pleased that the crisis is over. Everyone is hungry to work after so many days.”