Bollywood gets the day off

Priyanka was among the stars enjoying a forced break caused by the strike in India

Bollywood and the TV industry cancelled their shooting shedules across India today (July 5) due to the nationwide strike called by the opposition parties against the hike in fuel prices.

"Today, shootings at various places have been cancelled because of the bandh (strike). It will resume after seven in the evening. Till then, its very unlikely that something will take place," Dharmesh Tiwari, President of the Federation of Western India Cine Employees, said.

There are six main studios in the city - Filmistan, Kamal Amrohi, Mehboob, Natraj, R.K. and Filmcity. And most of them either had no bookings or cancelled their shoots.

"Two-three shootings have been cancelled today because of the bandh, some might resume after seven and others have been rescheduled for some other day," said a source from Dadasaheb Phalke Chitranagari (Filmcity).

R.K. and Filmistan studios had no bookings for the day.

"There are no bookings for shooting today. I think it is because of the bandh," a staff member from the Filmistan Studios said.

Similarly shooting schedules of various TV serials have been altered while few carried on as usual. But the sources refused to reveal the names of the films or serials whose shoot has been cancelled.

Though Sony TV spokespersons said they are carrying on with the shooting as per schedule, others like Colors and Star TV have put a halt.

And actors seem to be enjoying the forced break.

"Whatever the reason guys!! It's awesome to just be chilling at home. Aaaah!! Been too long since I did this. Months in fact," Priyanka Chopra tweeted.

Director Tarun Mansukhani added, "Not a car on the road.. Absolute silence... Birds chirpping.. Ok! Ok! Crows crowing! Hmmm.. Bandh not a bad idea actually!!!,"

Senior actor Anupam Kher, however, felt that strikes affect the common man's life, but they don't have an option.

"Bandh affects the common working people the most and yet this is only noise they can make that reaches the deaf ears. Prices MUST come down," Anupam wrote on his Twitter page.