On Tuesday, the All India Cine Workers Association (AICWA) strongly condemned the repeated safety violations during the shooting of Ranveer Singh-starrer Dhurandhar: The Revenge. This comes after the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) blacklisted members of Aditya’s production house, B62 Studios, over repeated safety violations on the sets of Dhurandhar 2.
AICWA condemns safety violations
The AICWA released an official press note addressed by Suresh Shyamlal Gupta, President of AICWA. In the note, the body condemned the ‘alarming safety violations’ on the sets of Dhurandhar 2 by director Aditya Dhar and his production house. “The life, safety, and dignity of film industry workers, technicians, and labourers cannot be compromised under any circumstances,” the note read.
The note further added, “Due to such gross negligence, every year several workers lose their lives, while many others suffer severe injuries caused by fires, electric shocks, and collapsing or unsafe sets. Tragic incidents at Goregaon Filmcity and other studios, where workers lost their lives due to fire and unsafe working conditions, remain painful reminders of the ongoing danger faced by film workers.”
In the press note, the cine workers` organisation also stated that they have submitted complaints to the Chief Minister and the BMC, demanding strict enforcement of the rules and strong legal action against violators. “Unfortunately, timely and strict action is rarely taken, which emboldens negligent production houses to continue risking the lives of innocent workers,” they stated.
The AICWA also announced that they stand in support of the action taken by BMC against B62 Studios, saying, “When safety norms are ignored, thousands of workers are put in danger. In Mumbai alone, hundreds of shootings take place daily, and a majority of production houses fail to properly follow mandatory legal and safety requirements.”
Dhuranhar 2 producers blacklisted by BMC
A source from the BMC said that rules were violated multiple times during the shooting of the film Dhurandhar 2. Gas cylinders were reportedly used on the set for cooking, which is against the prescribed regulations. Additionally, the shooting location was changed without obtaining the necessary permission, said the source.
Following these violations, the A-Ward office wrote a letter to the Deputy Municipal Commissioner recommending that the studio be blacklisted. However, the studio has not been officially blacklisted so far.
The A-Ward office of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has recommended blacklisting B62 Studios, the production company of filmmaker Aditya Dhar. The recommendation comes amid allegations that safety norms and civic regulations were repeatedly violated during the shooting of the film Dhurandhar 2.
According to information available, burning torches were used in a high-security zone during the shoot. Terming it a serious security lapse, the Mumbai Police had to intervene and equipment was seized from the spot.
As per the source, crew members allegedly changed the shooting location without permission and used the terrace of a building without obtaining the required clearance from the civic authorities. It has also been reported that two generator vans were operating on the set without valid approval from the local administration.
In this regard, the BMC has sent a formal letter to the Deputy Municipal Commissioner (DMC), proposing a permanent ban on the studio from undertaking shoots through the state`s single-window filming portal.
As part of the action taken, the civic body has already forfeited the production`s Rs 25,000 security deposit and has proposed imposing an additional fine of Rs 1 lakh. However, the studio has not yet been officially blacklisted, though the proposal has been cleared for further action.
(With inputs from IANS)
