Owning to the outbreak of Covid-19 artists of the Jhollywood film industry claim that the pandemic has wreaked havoc on their livelihoods. Though shooting for music videos, albums and television commercials has resumed, City based artists are looking forward to doing stage shows as well.

After being jobless for over six months, those still struggling in the industry also claim that aspiring actors have started opting for other career options like preparing for government jobs while some have also gone back to studying. They also claim that artists have run out of their saving and if the same continues for some more time, things can go from bad to worse.

“The pandemic has severely affected the entertainment industry of Jharkhand. The artists who generally earn a living by doing stage shows have been the worst hit. They have been jobless for a long time and have also finished off all their savings in these past seven months. With shooting gradually resuming, the government should also give permission for stage shows now which is very essential for the musicians. Fortunately I have a studio but not everyone has the same opportunities. I was also supposed to be a part of a web series and the project has been stalled for the time being,” said Ranchi based singer and composer Rohan Deo Pathak, who has worked in Bollywood movies.

“The artists of Jharkhand have received little or no support from the government. It is only during the elections, when to lure the masses and garner votes, street plays are done does the government realise our value.

During the pandemic also no one has really bothered to find out how the artists of the State are doing. In the present situation, not just the actors but everyone else associated with the entertainment industry is house bound with no source of income. With everything gradually opening up, the Jharkhand Film Industry should also be allowed to start operations so that the artists can resume work,” said Ranchi based actor Vikash Kumar, who has been a part of Nagupri films as well popular television serials.

“The artists of Jharkhand do not get as many opportunities as compared to the ones in Bollywood. With the outbreak of this virus, whatever projects one did manage to clinch, they too have been shelved. Another major issue is that actors here are hardly paid as the movies made are generally of low budget. In the present situation producers do not want to take on the additional expenses of precautions required for Covid- 19. I have a few projects like commercials and short films lined up but with no precautions being taken, my family is not keen that I continue with this,” said City based actress Monika Rani, who has been a part of Jhollywood movies as well as Hindi and Punjabi films.