LPG crisis: Malayalam film industry starts feeling the heat as production schedules hit

The worsening LPG shortage has started impacting food supply on film locations in the Malayalam film industry.

As per the estimates by the Kerala Film Producers’ Association (KFPA), the shooting of nearly 18 movies are progressing. “We have stock for two days more. But the situation will turn difficult if the situation persists,’ said B. Rakesh, president of the KFPA.

He said that the industry may be hit badly if cooking gas cylinders are not made available soon. “The total loss estimated for the producers of the 18 movies is around ₹5 crore, once we are forced to cancel the shooting in view of the crisis. It is not easy to re-organise the entire crew and other logistics, once we have to break the shooting process midway,” he said.

Mr. Rakesh hoped that the authorities will initiate the required steps to address the situation.

Anil Thomas, president of the Kerala Film Chamber of Commerce, said that he has started receiving calls stating that the LPG shortage has started affecting the preparation of food for members on film locations. “They are now managing with the available stock. However, the production units are feeling the heat of the crisis,” he said.

Dixon Poduthas, production controller, said that cooking gas cylinder stocks are mostly available for around two days with the contractors engaged for food supply on film locations. “Like any other sector, the film industry will also be affected due to the acute shortage,” he said.

On an average, food has to be served for around 100-250 members on a film location depending on the scale of the production. “The people supplying food have informed us that they are managing the gaps with firewood. Many of them already have the facilities to make the food using wood-based stoves,” he said.