THERE WAS a mixed response to the proposal of the secretary of the UP Kalakar Association that if ‘the card’ issued by their association was not recognised in Mumbai, they too would not allow Mumbai’s producer-directors to shoot in the state.
Most felt that the UP Kalakar Association should first strengthen itself before talking ‘big’ and taking on Mumbai-based organisations like the Indian Motion Pictures Producers Association (IMPPA) or Western India Federation of Producers Association (WIFPA). An artiste shooting in either films or TV has to necessarily obtain a ‘card’ from the Artistes’ Association of either of these organisations. Failure to do so, often, means the association members stalling film/TV shoots.
On Thursday, Vinod Mishra, secretary of the UP Kalakar Association had threatened that if the Kalakar Association card was not recognised in Mumbai they would also insist on Mumbai based producer-directors getting a card made from their Uttar Pradesh organisation when they shoot here.
However, even Kalakar Association members like well-known theatre personality Dr Anil Rastogi, associated with the Darpan Theatre Group said though the “idea was good”, it would be too early to jump the gun.
“I think that Vinod’s idea is aimed at getting a better deal for artistes from UP and stamping the state’s own presence on the film/TV scene. But, then, before we start dictating terms to others, we should come up to a level from where we can do so. I think the UP Kalakar Association first needs to strengthen itself before these things are considered,” he said.
{{/usCountry}}“I think that Vinod’s idea is aimed at getting a better deal for artistes from UP and stamping the state’s own presence on the film/TV scene. But, then, before we start dictating terms to others, we should come up to a level from where we can do so. I think the UP Kalakar Association first needs to strengthen itself before these things are considered,” he said.
{{/usCountry}}Rashid Hasan, a member of WIFPA and a first assistant director in several serials like Aruna Irani’s Tum Bin Jaon Kahan, Dileep Kumar’s Allah Meri Tauba among others had a suggestion to make. “The UP Kalakar Association has no locus standi on the issue per se. Their association does not have the same recognition as WIFPA or IMPPA. But yes, what they can do probably is making it mandatory for producer-directors shooting in UP with local artistes to ensure that all locals have a UP Kalakar Association card.”
Rashid said that UP Kalakar Association “could give an NoC” to Mumbai’s producer-directors to shoot here after they show that all local artistes have the organisation’s card and their interests (“payments”) protected.
Still other WIFPA member, Adil Kamaal Qureshi, said that the basic idea behind UP Kalakar Association’s demand was correct. “But, yes, you got to have a presence and a recognition before you start dictating terms. Right now I don’t think they have it. Once they have it then it’s OK,” he said.
Others like Nawal Kant Shukla, an old member of UP Kalakar Association and someone who acted in several serials like Swabhimaan among others, too echoed similar thoughts.