Earlier this week, mid-day reported that leading film industry bodies held a meeting to decide their course of action, in the wake of the firing incident outside Rohit Shetty’s residence and extortion threat to Ranveer Singh (Call for protection, Feb 16). In the latest development, the bodies have sent a letter to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, requesting a meeting with him. In the meeting, they wish to discuss the threats and understand the steps taken by the government to address the situation.
Six organisations have signed the February 16 letter, a copy of which is in mid-day’s possession. According to Ashoke Pandit, President, Indian Film and Television Directors’ Association, a meeting with the CM is necessary at this stage as a wave of fear has gripped the film industry. He said, “The film industry has been in shock. All the film bodies discussed the issue and concluded that we should express our concern to the Chief Minister. We are hopeful that the government will successfully handle this situation.”
Ratan Jain, President, Indian Film and Television Producers Council, said that such attack attempts and threats are reminiscent of the 1990s, when the film industry was a soft target. “This had happened in 1992 earlier, and many people [in the industry] paid money [when faced with extortion calls],” he recalled.
Ashok Dubey, General Secretary, Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE), added, “Earlier, the FWICE had written a letter to the government requesting a meeting, but there was no response. Then the producers’ bodies got together and sent the letter as we don’t want the 1990s to happen again. We want the government to support us.”
Feb 1
When multiple gunshots were fired outside filmmaker Rohit Shetty’s house
Feb 10
When reports about actor Ranveer Singh receiving an extortion threat emerged
The letter has been signed by:
. Indian Motion Picture Producers’ Association
. Producers Guild of India
. Indian Film and Television Producers Council
. Western India Film Producers’ Association
. Indian Film and Television Directors’ Association
. Federation of Western India Cine Employees
