Time to hang up

Bollywood reacts as the Malayalam film industry faces a ban on mobile phones during film shoots. Rajesh Ahuja tells more.

While Dennis still remains the original one, mobile phones are the newest to be labelled a menace. Terming mobile phones “a menace”, two Kerala film bodies — Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA) and the The Kerala Film Producers’ Association (KFPA) — have decided to ban the use of mobile phones during film shoots.

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There isn’t a problem though, if stars log on to social networking sites in between breaks. The decision comes as a bid to reduce film production costs by saving on time being wasted elsewhere.

Though the rule hasn’t inched its way in to the Hindi film cocoon, it already has a few supporters. Rock On!! director Abhishek Kapoor says, “I expect utmost dedication from actors while they’re on the sets. Since filmmaking is a creative process, usage of mobile phones can be quite a nuisance. How I wish this ban comes to Bollywood.”

Actress Tisca Chopra, too, supports the motion. “Professionals who’re serious about their jobs don’t have time for social networking sites and blogs. But a lot of them are glued to their phones. I think a ban should come from within and it’s time the film fraternity realises that,” says Chopra, who’s presently working on a film titled Rangeen.

But not all are comfortable with the news. Actor Ranvir Shorey, who recently wrapped up Saurabh Shukla’s I am 24, thinks it’s too stringent a rule. “It’s moral courtesy to switch off your phones while shooting. But a ban is an extreme. Every association has a right to make its own rules though,” he says.