The recent tragedy that shook the entire film industry was the death of three crew members due to an accident at the Indian 2 shooting spot at EVP film city in Chennai. Assistant director Krishna, art assistant Chandran, and production assistant Madhu were the technicians who lost their lives, unfortunately. Many film industry artists had marked their condolences regarding this tragic accident.
Kamal Haasan, in a letter to Lyca Productions has expressed his grief over the death of his colleagues, and also mentioned about the steps he wishes the production house should take before the next schedule resumes. The letter has been reproduced below.
"With a deep sense of anguish, I write this. The events that happened on the night of 19th February 2020 continues to haunt. People with whom we were laughing, eating, and working together are no longer there and the realization that they will never be back is most remorseful.
"I was just a few seconds and fewer metres away from the spot where the mishap occurred and miraculously escaped from joining the list of fatalities. I can hardly express my trauma and agony in words. Our ability to compensate can and should never be equated to our sense of responsibility. With so many human lives involved in a shoot, the paramount importance for the Production is to ensure safety of people involved in the shoot. Accidents of this kind only destroy the confidence and belief of the entire team, in the Production team.
"I want to understand the steps taken by the Production team to ensure the safety of the artists, crew and other technicians involved in the shoot and also the kind of insurance that the Production team has taken. Any loss, cost, damage, risk undergone on account of the production team failing to carry out what they ought to have carried out has to be compensated in full and at the earliest.
"As Producers, you should ensure the best of medical help to each of those who have been admitted and provide the affected families your utmost support during this time of need, both financially and emotionally.
"You should ensure to implement all guidelines on safety and institute an audit process to assess safety standards at shoot locations before commencement of any shoot. Only by such positive and proactive steps, the Production team can demonstrate its diligence in adhering to safety requirements and thereby restore the confidence of the cast and crew (including me) to report back for shoot."