Bombay High Court Dismisses Government Imposed Ban Prohibiting Actors Above 65 From Shooting

In a move that will be welcomed by producers and actors alike, the Bombay High Court has quashed Maharashtra Government’s shoot guideline prohibiting people above the age of 65 on sets. The decision by the court came after the hearing of two petitions questioning the ban on senior actors that had put hundreds out of work in difficult times.

The move was met with resistance from Kanwaljit Singh, Surkeha Sikri, Raza Murad, and bodies like Federation of Western India Cine Employees and Cine and TV Artistes’ Association.

A division bench including Justices SJ Kathawalla and Riyaz Chagla heard two petitions filed by actor Pramod Pandey and the Indian Motion Pictures Producers Association and cast aside the resolution of the government in answer.

Shoots were allowed to resume in the state June 1 onwards with a Government Regulation in place to ensure safety in the times of the coronavirus pandemic, the rules banned senior actors from sets. The actor may be allowed to return on sets but will have to follow all other advisory set in place by the government.

The government has also been asked to file an affidavit citing reasons for senior banning actors and to clarify if the guideline was included after some research.

A detailed judgment in the matter is expected later in the day.