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When tension increases at the global level, its effect is not immediately visible. But gradually it starts affecting everyday life in such ways that people cannot even think of it. Currently, there is an ongoing conflict in the Middle East in which big countries like America, Israel and Iran are involved. Now it is casting its shadow even in India. Iran has reportedly blocked the Strait of Hormuz (a very important sea route). Because of this, there is a problem in fuel supply all over the world.

There is a huge shortage of LPG cylinders in India also. Earlier this problem was limited to restaurants, dhabas and canteens, where cooking had started to stop. But now this problem has reached the film industry, especially the Malayalam film industry of Kerala. Kerala Film Producers Association (KFPA) has recently warned that the shooting of about 18 films going on in the state may come to a halt due to non-availability of LPG cylinders. Association President B. Rakesh has said that on a film set, food has to be cooked for hundreds of people every day, and for this, gas is constantly required.

What kind of problems are coming?

According to Indian Express, he said- We still have only two days of stock left. If this shortage increases further, it will become very difficult to continue shooting. If the shooting stops midway, the producers will suffer huge losses. The association estimates that the producers of these 18 films may suffer a total loss of around Rs 5 crore. It is not easy to stop the shooting. Actors, technicians, camera crew, lighting and other staff all have to be kept together. If there is a break in between, then re-making the schedule, booking the location, collecting equipment, all this becomes very difficult and expensive.

How many LPG cylinders are used on the sets?

Cooking on a film set is a big necessity. On a typical film location, up to 5 LPG cylinders are used daily, because breakfast, lunch, snacks and dinner have to be prepared for the crew from early morning till evening. Production controller Sidhu Panakkal said that there is a standard time table for Kerala film crew. Cooking starts around 3 am, so that breakfast is ready by 7:30 am. All this would not have been possible without gas. Some production teams have now started looking for alternative methods. Like cooking on wood or using electric induction stove. But these options are not always easy or cheap.

Other industries will also be affected

Mohan, who works as a caterer on film sets in Thodupuzha and Kochi, said that this problem is not limited to Malayalam films only. A Hindi film being shot here and a Tamil film unit running in Edakochchi are also facing great difficulty in getting gas cylinders. If this crisis continues for a long time, the impact will not be limited to Kerala and South India only. More than 2000 films are made in India every year. If LPG shortage continues, shooting schedules across the film industry may be disrupted, costs may increase and many projects may be affected.

what does the crew eat

Food has great importance on a film set. It is important for the crew to get good and timely food, so that they do not feel tired and can work well. In a report last year, Rohit Yadav, the caterer of the film ‘Beyond the Clouds’, had told that what is usually served on the sets is plain rice, khichdi, curd, potato gobi, butter chicken, fruit custard, salad, chapatti, papad etc. It is not easy to make all this, and gas is very important for this.